Finite Element Analysis of Tube End Forming and Process Design

Abstract

Compared with forging and extrusion processes, tube end forming includes various forming methods, such as pipe expansion, bending, bulging, folding, shrinking and profile processing. Therefore, research and development of pipe processing and forming are of great importance in the industry. In this study, the authors used the finite element analysis software DEFORM to analyze the end deformation behavior of the single pass forming. The deformation behavior of the pipe end, load curve and formability are discussed. The single-pass forming die design enables the pipe ends to be formed into two different shapes. By reducing the processing procedures with the geometric design of the dies, the processing advantages of single pass forming are achieved.