Forming Limit in the Nosing Process of Micro Copper Cups

Abstract

This study used finite element simulations and experiments to investigate the forming limit in the nosing process of micro copper cups, and to establish the limit nosing curves in terms of nosing ratio, die angle, and friction factor. Two-stage processes, including backward extrusion and nosing processes, were considered in simulations and experiments at micro scale. The copper billets with 1 mm diameter and length were backwards extruded to produce the 1 mm diameter cups with 0.1 mm wall thickness. The cups were later used in the nosing processes under different forming conditions. By analysing the results of the nosed cups from the simulations, it is possible to identify the safe and failure forming conditions and establish the limit nosing curves for the nosing process. The simulation results show that the limit nosing ratio increases as the die angle or friction factor decreases. Two predicted results for poor and well lubricated conditions have been examined and are in good agreement with those from experiments. The study not only explores the characteristics of the noise process of copper cups at micro scale but also establishes the limit nosing curves which could be the guidelines for the design of micro metal components.