Numerical simulation of hydroforming hollow crankshaft
(1.黑龙江省哈尔滨市哈尔滨工业大学材料科学与工程学院2.School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China)
Abstract: An investigation was conducted on how to control loading path and its effect on thickness distribution after hydroforming crankshaft by using finite element simulation. Four different loading paths were utilized in simulating the forming process of hydroforming crankshaft and the results of different loading paths were presented. It shows that the hydroforming is dependent on the appropriate loading path. There exists the zone of hydroforming process window which can be confirmed by using simulation method. Wrinkles occur as the the internal pressure is less than 20MPa and bursting occurs as the the internal pressure is larger than 32MPa. Only when the internal pressure locates between 20MPa and 30MPa, can an eligible crankshaft component be manufactured.
Key words: hydroforming； numerical simulation； loading path