Observations on the Influence of Tool-Sheet Contact Conditions on an Incremental Forming Process

The influence of tool-sheet contact conditions on features such as surface roughness, forming force, and formability was evaluated for components produced by incremental forming, a highly flexible innovative sheet metal-forming process. Experimental tests were carried out on sheets of AA7075T0 to create two types of component: pyramid frusta (for the evaluation of roughness and force) and cone frusta (for the evaluation of formability). Four different types of tool-sheet contact were analyzed, using two types of tool. From the experimental tests, the influence on the surface finishing and on the trend of the forming forces depending on contact type was revealed. Contact types do not, however, influence sheet formability. © ASM International.