The process of tubular hydro forming is basically the same as normal sheet forming. The user may refer to the setting of sheet forming described in previous sections. Only specialized setup options related to tubular hydroforming are provided here.
8.2.8.1 NEW SIMULATION
The user may create a new simulation, and select TUBULAR HYDROFORMING from simulation type drop-down list, as shown in Figure 8.2.101.
Figure 8.2.101 Tubular Hydro Forming
The user may enter the blank initial thickness. Click OK button to enter the setup interface.
8.2.8.2 GENERAL
Same as normal sheet forming, the user may specify simulation title, working coordination system, acceleration time and tool gap between tool and blank. The interface is shown in Figure 8.2.102. Detailed description of the GENERAL is provided in Section 8.2.3.
Figure 8.2.102 Tubular Hydro Forming Basic Parameter
8.2.8.3 TUBE
This function allows the user to specify the tube. The user may click PART button to select part for the tube. The interface is illustrated in Figure 8.2.103. For blank definition, refer to Section 8.2.4.
Figure 8.2.103 Part Definition of Tube
8.2.8.4 TOOLS
This function allows the user to specify tools. The interface of the tool definition is illustrated in Figure 8.2.105. For description of the tool setup, refer to Section 8.2.5.
Figure 8.2.104 Tool Definition
8.2.8.5 PROCESS
This function allows the user to set up process parameters for tubular hydroforming. It¡¯s basic setting is same as sheet hydroforming. The user may refer to Section 8.2.6 for detailed description. For Tubular Hydroforming, the user may specify fluid flux to control hydraulic pressure. The setup interface is shown in Figure 8.2.105. The user needs to select Hydro Mechanical option, following by selecting the VOLUME type from drop-down list.
Figure 8.2.105 Hydro Control Parameters
FLUID FLUX: Allows the user to specify fluid flux ¨C time curve to control fluid pressure. The program displays the fluid flux setup dialog box a shown in Figure 8.2.106.
Figure 8.2.106 Fluid Flux Control dialog box
CONSTANT: Defines constant fluid flux. The user may enter a constant fluid flux value in FLUID FLUX input box.
TIME VARIABLE: Defines time variable fluid flux. The user may click EDIT button next to FLUID FLUX to enter curve definition interface. Detailed description of curve definition is provided in Chapter 12.
FLUID FLUX: Defines flux of fluid.
DENSITY: Defines density of fluid.
BULK: Defines bulk viscosity of fluid.