A note on deep drawing process: numerical simulation and experimental validation

Sheet metal working occupies the most important position in the area of metal forming. Without a good knowledge of the process and material variables, it would be difficult to prevent the defects and optimize the process. This paper deals with the analysis of deep drawing of circular blanks into axi-symmetric cylindrical cups using numerical modelling at different draw conditions. A finite element program to simulate the process and analyse axi-symmetric components is developed. A rigid plastic material model with the variational approach is used in the finite element analysis. The amount of draw obtainable in the drawing process has been related both theoretically and experimentally with the initial diameter of the blank. The surface strains in the radial and circumferential directions have been computed and measured. A correlation on the flange thickness variation with the analytical and experimental values also has been arrived at.