Prediction of the punch reversal position under V-plate bending using real material (power-law) behavior

The bending process is widely used in industries for the manufacturing of many industrial parts with the trial-and-error method being employed to bend the plate to the required bend angle. The accuracy and success of the bending process depends upon the operating parameters as well as the material properties. The spring-back of the bend plate is a function of the strain-hardening characteristics. Thus, some studies in this direction become necessary to avoid the costly trial-and-error method commonly adopted to reduce the spring-back. The present work is an attempt to investigate the effect of material characteristics on the V-bending process. A computer algorithm with real material characteristics (power-law behavior) is developed to predict the punch reversal position of the press to secure the required bend angle. The computer algorithm uses the punch displacement data obtained from series of experiments. The data were then utilized to predict the required punch reversal position for the desired unloaded bend angle. The results of the computer model were compared with experimental results and earlier reported models for several selected cases. Good agreement was found with experimental results which establishes the validity of the material property variations so selected.