New process of multi-point forming with individually controlled force-displacement and mechanism of inhibiting springback

In this paper, a new process of multi-point forming with individually controlled force-displacement (MPF-ICFD) is presented to reduce the springback in the traditional multi-point forming (MPF). An experimental setup was designed and manufactured, and the contrast experiment was conducted to investigate the differences between the traditional MPF and the proposed MPF-ICFD. Furthermore, the stress state and springback mechanism in both processes were analyzed with the plastic forming theory. The differences in springback were also investigated with 1060 aluminum alloy and Q 295 steel. The results showed that the specimens in MPF-ICFD presented an excellent deformation uniformity and are consistent with the target profile. The springback magnitude of 1060 aluminum alloy is 34.63% in MPF while 7.51% in MPF-ICFD, and the springback magnitude of Q 295 steel is 31.16% in MPF while 17.02% in MPF-ICFD. The results demonstrate that the springback can be strongly inhibited by MPF-ICFD.