Numerical and experimental investigation of hole flanging process

Abstract

The paper aims to present the experimental and numerical work in the field of hole flanging process, having as particularity a process where the blank is held by a pressure plate which is acted by a rubber disk. The hole flanging is used across many different industries. A drilled or punched hole is expanded in a flange, by the surrounding metal deformation of the hole. In the experimental work drilled holes were used. The process of the hole flanging was studied by varying two process parameters, namely punch geometry and initial diameter of the hole. Flat and spherical punches were used. Three diameters of the initial holes which result in three flanging coefficients were considered. The hole flanging profiles were
experimentally determined using reverse engineering. The numerical study comes to validate the experimental one and also it gives the possibilities to analyse the stresses induced in material for different deformation conditions. Finally, the comparison between the numerical and experimental results highlighted the importance of flanging coefficient in the process quality.