Determining the Forming Limit Diagram by Experimental Methods

In general, a large part of the time is devoted to the design and production of reliable parts where extensive knowledge is required for the design engineers to come up with an optimal solution for the tooling and sheet metal forming processes. Most of the time, the principle of trial and error is used to get the desired shapes for the products. This is because the prediction of deformations occurring in sheet metal elements is not available and is highly dependent on the geometry of the part, the tools and the deformation process. Prediction is limited by the proper location of necking, shear breakage, and puckering of the material. Searching for a robust deformation process by trial and error is expensive and inefficient. The use of numerical simulations provides engineers with an alternative efficiency for developing a tool and process to produce quality parts in a more efficient and lower cost. Computer simulation is an extension of theoretical science that is based on mathematical models. Such models attempt to characterize the physical prediction or consequences of scientific theories. The purpose of this work is to present the way of determining the forming limit diagram by various experimental methods.