Material characterization in flexible flow splitting

Abstract

There is a significant demand on flexibility in production processes, regarding freedom of part design and freedom of process design. The forming process linear flow splitting satisfies these demands by enriching the semi‐finished product sheet metal with geometric features. Additional flanges and bifurcations in integral style expand the range of component applications. By the further development of flexible flow splitting, these flanges can now be produced along a non‐linear bifurcation line and the application can be expanded on products with varying cross‐section. The continuous steady‐state process linear flow splitting is transferred into a flexible forming process that is characterized by non‐steady states and measurands. Methods of materials characterization are applied to investigate, if those non‐steady properties, that are visible in process characteristics and part geometry, can also be identified in the mechanical behavior.