A novel sheet metal forming method - Millipede forming

Authors

Shichao Ding, University of WollongongFollow
Paul A. Meehan, University of Queensland
William Daniel

RIS ID

42378

Publication Details

Ding, S., Meehan, P. A. & Daniel, W. (2011). A novel sheet metal forming method - Millipede forming. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 211 (3), 376-381.

Abstract

Millipede forming, a novel sheet metal forming method, has been proposed and developed recently to overcome fundamental limitations in conventional roll forming. For this new method, there are two main aspects: use of an optimal transitional surface and implementation of a method to feed the strip through the transition surface. Achieving the optimal transitional surface involves defining the change of surface shape between a flat strip and a final shaped product conceptualised to the strip's mid-surface, regardless of the strip's thickness.

In this paper, one method of implementing a transition surface, Millipede forming, is introduced. A prototype has been built to demonstrate the working principle and can be used to produce some simple profiles, within a short forming length of 200 mm.