Hydroforming technology is a robust forming process that produces components with high precision and complexity. The goal of this paper is to present a brief description of the sheet hydroforming process with respect to the authors' experience and capabilities. Following the authors' discussion of the sheet-metal forming application, the tubular hydroforming process is described in the context of one of our technology development programs with an automotive industrial partner. After that is a summary of the tubular hydroforming advisor (expert system) development activity, which was a significant part of this overall program based on previous experience in developing a design and manufacturing support hydroforming advisor for the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant's weapons-component manufacturing needs. Therefore, this paper is divided into three sections: (1) Hydroforming of Stainless Steel Parts, (2) Tubular Hydroforming, and (3) Components of a Tubular Hydroforming Advisor

Bird, E. L.

Ludtka, G. M.

UNT Digital Library

..=YLDV-1606LOCKHEED MA RTIM~Hydroforming Applications at Oak RidgeE. L. BirdY-12 DevelopmentLockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc.andG. M. LudtkaMetals and CeramicsLo&heed Martin Energy Research Corp.RECEIVED~~~ 15 *99OSTIFor presentation at:Society of Manufacturing EngineersMarch 10-11,1999Livonia, MichiganPrepared by theOak Ridge Y-12 Plantoak Ridge Tennessee 37831managed byLockheed Martin Emx-gy Systems, Inc.for tkelJ,S. DEPARTMENr~ OF ENERGYunder contract DE-AC05-840R2 1400DISCLAIMERPortions of this document may be illegiblein electronic image products. Images areproduced from the best available originaldocument.YIDV-1606.....Hydroforming Applications at Oak Ridge. ... .E. L. BirdY-12 DevelopmentLockheed Martin Energy Systems; Inc.andG. M. LudtkaMetaIs and CeramicsLockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.For presentation at:Society of Manufacturing EngineersMarch 10 – 11,1999Livonia, MichiganPrepared by theOak Ridge Y-12 PlantOak Ridge Tennessee 37831managed byLockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc.for theU.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGYunder contract DE-AC05-840R2 1400.YIDV-1606Hydroforming Applications at Oak RidgeE. L. BirdY-12 DevelopmentLockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc.andG. M. LudtkaMetals and CeramicsLockheed Martin Energy Research Corp...February 1999.,Prepared by theOak Ridge Y-12 PlantOak Ridge Tennessee 37831managed byLockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc.for theU.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGYunder contract DE-AC05-840R21400-.TABLEOFCONTENTSLIST OF ~GU~S .....................................................................................................................iv[NTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 1.=SECTION I — HYDROFORMING OF STAINLESS STEEL PARTS ...................................... 1SECTION H — TUBULAR HYDROFORMING ....................................................................... 2SECTION III—COMPONENTS OF A HYDROFORMING ADVISOR .................................5suMMARY ............................................................................................................... ..................7ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. ........................................................................................................... 7.....111. ..LLST OF FIGURESFig. l. Hydrofoming process . .....................................................................................................2Fig. 2. A~bl*hydroformed automobile frame component .. .....................................................3`'`Fig. 3. Tublar hydroforming facilitates producing parts with a diverse range of cross sectionsalong its length. ........................................................................................................................... 3Fig. 4. Generic FLD with prestrain effects shown ........................................................................4Fig. 5. This example of hydroforming technology shows the initial forming blank and the oneset of tooling required to make the final part. ...............................................................................5.....,.‘.,iv. ... .INTRODUCTIONHydroforming technology is a robust forming process that produces components with highprecision and complexity. The goal of this paper is to present a brief description of the sheethydroforrning process with respect to the authors’ experience and capabilities. Following theauthors’ discussion” of the sheet-metal forming application, the tubular hydroforming process isdescribed in the context of one of our technology development programs with an automotiveindustrial partner. After that is a summary of the tubular hydroforming advisor (expert system)development activity, which was a significant part of this overall program based on previousexperience in developing a design and manufacturing support hydroforming advisor for the OakRidge Y-12 Plant’s weapons-component manufacturing needs. Therefore, this paper is dividedinto three sections: (l) Hydroforming of Stainless Steel Parts, (2) Tubular Hydroforming, and (3)Components of a Tubular Hydroforming Advisor..SECTION I — HYDROFOR%IING OF STAINLESS STEEL PARTSTo meet several unique design challenges related to weapons component production,hydroforming development activities began in Oak Ridge circa 1952 to investigate this veryflexible process. Hydroforming is now a key process for our applications of forming stainlesssteel parts because near-net shaped parts ot very high precision and varying complexity can bereadily formed wih excellent surface finishes. in addition, die costs are lowered because only theform die is needed for this process. Blanks used in the hydroforming process are sectioned fromcold-rolled, low-carbon stainless steel. type 304L. Sheet metal hydroforming can be applied to abroad range of sizes. from very thin to i in. thick and from a 1 in. diameter to 32 in.Hydroforming is sometimes called fluid forming, flexible die forming, rubber diaphragmforming, or rubber pad forming..Equ@netzt: Four hydroform presses are available for manufacturing, depending on the size of thepart being formed. A rubber wearpad protects the rubber diaphragm. Platen sizes range from 12to 32 in., stroke distances range from 6 to 16 in., and pressures measure up to 30,000 pounds persquare inch (psi). The newest hydroform press is computer controlled and has the ability toindependently control pressure as a function of depth.Process Description: In a typicai scenario. the blank is lubricated in the region that rests againstthe draw ring and centered before forming. A precharge of -1000 psi is applied to the blank,which cause deformation in the central region of the blank but, more importantly holds the endsof the blank down during the forming process. The punch containing the die is driven upward,pushing the blank against a rubber pad or diaphragm pressurized with fluid. Resistance, providedby the fluid-supported rubber pad, exerts pressure against the blank, thereby shaping the blank orworkpiece around the die. An example of this process is shown in Fig. 1.1..‘DwYrumlD, .W RWRmctlI~ %2 _Fig. 1. Hydroforming process.Key Processing Variables: Processing was primarily developed on a trial-and-error basis, and as aresult, most of the process knowledge is based on experience. Key parameters known to affectthe outcome of the desired shape include ( I) lubricant, (2) blank size, (3) pressure, (4) punchspeed, (5) depth of part, and (6) die radius. These conditions, some of which are interrelated, arecontrolled to prevent undesirable results such as wrinkling, tearing, buckling, and springback.The lubricant used for most applications is Houghton Draw 7007, which is sometimes thinned‘ with solvent. Too much lubricant or application of the lubricant in the wrong place can lead towrinkling or tearing. If the blank size or thickness is different, wrinkling can occur. Insufficientprecharge pressure can lead to wrinkling. If the speed of the form die is too fast, wrinkling ortearing can occur. Typicaliy, the radius of the die should not be greater than three times thethickness of the blank being formed. A larger bend radius often requires a wider flange, andformulas in the handbooks provide guidelines for whatever material is being formed. A cycleperiod (the time from closing the press until the part is stripped from the form punch) is typicallyonly ten seconds. Tooling is usually made from H-13 tool steel, and the draw ring is usuallymade out of aluminum-silicon bronze. Other materials that have been hydroformed includecopper, lead, titanium, nickel-based alloys, and aluminum.SECTION 11— TUBULAR HYDROFORMINGAn example of a tubular hydroforrned part will be presented first to help in understanding thisvariant of the hydroforming process. Fig. 2 shows a tubular hydroforming application in theautomotive industry. This part is a major frame component that has many variable cross-sectionspecifications along its length, as indicated in Fig. 3... .“ .:..2*T.Fig. 2. A tubular hydroformed automobile frame component...Fig. 3. Tubular hydroforming facilitates producing parts with a diverse range of crosssections along its length.This automotive application, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, highlights the benefits of tubularhydroforming over conventional forming. The following tabulation contrasts these twotechnologies to make the same part.Traditional stamping of this car-body frame part requires the following:1.2.3.Seven to nine steel dies at a cost of -$300K to $500K;several seam and spot welds;time from blank to finish part, 1 to 10 days;3.:-4. overall typical tolerance band, <0.5 in. (plus part -to-part variance); and. 5. material/part performance, hard to maintain.Meanwhile, tubular hydroforming of this same shape would only require this:,-... .1. Epoxy die set at a cost of -$3 K to $20K;2. no seam welds and no spot welds required;3. from blank to finished part time: 10 minutes;typically a two-step process of bending and then hydroform ing)4. overail typical tolerance band, <0.1 in.; and5. material/part performance, improved rigidity and integrity(cuts weight and cost by using thinner material)..The materials generally used in this application have been seam-welded AKDQ (aluminum-killed, drawing quality) steel tubes. A successful implementation of this technology generallyinvolves knowledge of the deformation behavior of the candidate materials. Therefore, theforming limit diagrams (FLD) for the candidate alloys need to be characterized so that thedeformation limits of the material are known for consideration to a specific application. Becausethe tubular hydroforming process typically involves an initial bending step to meet themacroscopic geometry contour for the car frame shape (shown in Fig. 2), the FLD needs to bedetermined as a function of various amounts of prestrain. Afler the axial tensile prestrain step, the.test tubes undergo the hydrostatic form ing stresses that simulate the loading conditions that the...tube wi 11experience during the hydraulic forming stage that develops the many different cross-section contours (as seen in Fig. 3). Figure 4 presents an FLD that demonstrates the significantimportance of knowing the influence that initial prestraining (such as in the bending operation)has on the final forrna~lity limits of the candidate-material. -.“\: l’:\’: 1‘“:”*’k””’’!’’’”””””’!”” ‘“ !FLDw’!h”pRE’sT~’N5’”.......\. : I.-w.o S.--- M’0 is%0, , , “8 0: 0 0 ,..t- ST RANFig. 4 Formmg Limtt Diagrams wilh Pre-Str8ms...;$. ;..~,.=,_:-..+=##~ Fig. 4. Generic FLD with prestrain effects shown.. . .9“*As a result of working with an automotive partner in the tubular hydroforming area, the Y-12Development Mechanical Testing Facility now has the fixtures and equipment to generate thesetypes of data for tube products. FLDs have been generated on 4-, 3.5-, and 3-in. outer diametertubes for different wail thicknesses for both ferrous and aluminum alloys. Typical test-tubelengths are -26 to 32-in. long, and elec[ro-etched grid circles (O.l-in. diam) over the entirespecimen gage area were used to enable local strain measurements after failure.Figure 5 shows another example of the use of tubular hydroforming technology in a rathersophisticated application; a sheet blank is seam welded into a tapered cylinder shape andhydroformed. The tooling used for this application is also shown in the figure.Fig. 5. This example of hydroforming technology shows the initial forming blank and theone set of tooling required to make the final part.Over many years a significant amount of experience with hydroforming technology wasdeveloped within the Y-12 faciiity in designing tooling and understanding which applicationswere amenable to this forming approach and which were not. To record the knowledge andexpertise in this area that several individuals gained over their entire careers, a manufacturingsupport program was initiated to develop a design advisor to capture this expert knowledge beforethose key individuals retired. Integrated with this information were appropriate material propertydatabases along with other relevant features that will be discussed generically in the next section.SECTION HI — COMPONENTS OF A HYDROFORMING ADVISORWhen the Hydroforming Tool Die Design Advisor (HTDA) Program was initiated in 1989, itsgoals were to ensure that key individuals and experts in the hydroforming process could sharetheir valuable information and expertise and to lessen the impact when these key personne~retired. The final tool that emerged could do the following:1. capture and use expert knowledge required to best determine the compensation forhydroforrning components (tool die, draw ring, etc.) used in the production ofthin-walled parts; ..:.,<.,....b..2. use (captured) expert knowledge in the determination of optimal procedures, machineparameters, machine setups, etc., for making quality parts with low rejection rates;and3. archive (electronically) past hydroforming data (both “graphical” and “non-graphical”). This capability is useful in the representation, analysis, and preservationof the Y-12 hydrofortning knowledge base.This internal effort was very successful and provided the experience base to develop a tubularhydroforming advisor for an automotive partner in a collaborative Research and DevelopmentProgram. The three major components that made up the subsequent tubular hydroformingadvisor, called the Hydroforming Design and Process Advisor (HDPA), are as follows:1.2.3.combining models, high-power computing, and knowledge into an easy-to-use,(intelligent) human-machine interface with the analysis and “decision making “being “transparent” to the usecintegrating three information paradigms, namely, models, intelligence. and graphics(e.g., computer-aided design models) into a “seamless package”; andintegrating “process and design knowledge” with the total required decision-makingparadigms, including information exchange and management, execution of “mathmodels”, and rule-based and other decision-making algorithms.Using this philosophy and incorporating proprietary information from the industrial partner plusadditional FLD data generated by Y-12 on ferrous-alloy and aluminum-alloy tubes, the HDPAemerged with the ability to do the following:1.2.3.4.determine the appropriate tube-size range to generate the part shape that meets allboundary constraints;determine the feasibility of the tube-bending step, generate the strain maps, evaluatethe bending method, and predicts results;analyze the tube-loading operations to provide early feedback on the tool-die contour,ensure continuity between the die and loaded pipe, and veri~ and analyze theproposed die geometries from the early steps; andanalyze the final predicted hydroformed part geometry and provide advisory reportson any suspected problem areas.The four major analysis steps are ( 1) pipe diameter selection, (2) bend analysis, (3) die loading,and (4) hydroforming analysis. These steps were incorporated into a complete, easy-to-usegraphic interface that can be used to input complete 3-D geometries and features. The highlyinteractive interface is useful during the initial stages of the complex hydroforrning analysiscycle. The designer can easily access, change, or modifi inputs as needed to address key designissues.The benefit of the HDPA is that this advisor system determines the “manufacturability” early inthe design cycle and provides a systematic knowledge/experience base that avoids making thesame mistake twice. The advisor concept has proved to be a very useful paradigm for integratingknowledge, data, and graphics into an easy-to-use design and planning tool... . ..6.....suMMARYThis presentation has provided an introduction to the very robust hydroforming process and theexperience and capabilities in Oak Ridge in applying this technology. For example, the tubularhydroforming,wmiation of this process is extremely beneficial in meeting the manufacturabilityneeds of an automotive frame component while requiring significantly less capital costs fortooling. Finally, the benefits of developing and using an advisor system for hydroforming includethe integration of employee expert knowledge with other resources and tools to develop an easy-to-use design and planning tool.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTThe authors wish to thank J. T. Lowery of Depleted Uranium Operations for sharing hisknowledge and experience as input to this report.7,.cDISTRIBUTIONE. L. BirdR. L. BridgesJ. T. Hill ..J. T. Lowery ~“’G. M. LudtkaW. G. Northcutt, Jr.R. E. Oakes, Jr.Y-12 Plant Records Service (3) 9711-5, MS-8 169..8 ““”’”

Hydroforming Applications at Oak Ridge

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Hydroforming Applications at Oak Ridge

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