Numerical simulation for rubber forming process of curved semi -pipe of sheet-metal

The forming process and springback of the arccurved semipipe in High Hydraulic Press Rubber Forming(HHPRF) are simulated by selfdeveloped software SHEETFORMING with Nonlinear Finite Element Method for study the feasibility of replacing hamming with HHPRF for semipipe of sheetmetal. The stressstrain distribution and materialflow during forming are offered; the appearance and reason of forming barrier are predicted and analyzed, and the shape of the rough and die suitable for HHPRF is given, which is the main factor deciding the HHPRF success or fail. Useful technical parameters for replacing hamming with HHPRF for the semipipe are obtained. The qualitative and quantitative warranty is scientifically proposed for innovation of the forming method of the semipipes. The precision of forming simulation is the main infection factor to the precision of springback simulation; and traditional "physical trialanderror" can partially be replaced with numerical simulation by computer. Therefore,the integration of "computernumericalsimulation trialanderror" with "physical trial anderror" can make technical innovation more scientific and success rates higher.