Process analysis software for the prediction of elongation with respect to the draw bending of small diameter thin walled tubing

The manipulation of tubular components by draw bending has two principal problems: springback and axial elongation. This paper addresses the problem of axial elongation. For this it was assumed that the majority of the elongation occurs due to a shift in the neutral axis. A program has been produced that allows the position of the neutral axis to be predicted for small sections (elements) of tube. In this way the shift of neutral axis can be traced throughout the complete bending process and the elongation for any bend can be predicted. The results from the program will be used to provide a generic solution for the prediction of elongation in small diameter thin-walled tubes.