Numerical simulation of sheet metal drawing by Maslennikov's technique

The applicability of numerical simulation to the sheet metal drawing by Maslennikov's technique is examined. A circular cup drawing process is numerically simulated using the dynamic explicit finite element code DYNA3D. The effect of the forming parameters, such as dimension and hardness of the rubber ring, frictional coefficient of the interface between the sheet and the rubber ring and mechanical properties of the sheet, on the sheet deformation is investigated. The increment in the cup depth obtained by each drawing operation tends to decrease with the number of times of the operations. The effect of frictional coefficient of the interface between the sheet and the rubber ring on the sheet deformation is not prominent. The sheet drawing with a harder rubber produces the deeper cup. On the other hand, the sallower cup is obtained with a thicker rubber ring. These demonstrated deformation behaviors are considered qualitatively adequate, therefore, it is concluded that the numerical simulation may be helpful in determining the forming conditions for the sheet metal drawing by Maslennikov's technique.