Investigating the Effect of Rotation Speed and Ultrasonic Vibrations in the Incremental Forming Process

Incremental forming is one of the forming methods that is considered because of no need to specific die, especially for rapid prototyping. In this study, the incremental forming process is carried out by using a rotating tool and assisted ultrasonic vibration. Purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of rotation speed and ultrasonic vibrations in the incremental forming process. According to the obtained results, mean and maximum values of forming force reduced by using a rotating tool and applying ultrasonic vibrations. The results of surface roughness tests demonstrated that by increasing rotational speed, the surface roughness improved 44% and applying ultrasonic vibrations with tool rotation can reduce surface roughness about 74%. Applying ultrasonic vibrations lead to increase micro-hardness up to 84%, but, by increasing rotational speed, surface hardness slightly reduces. Results of straight groove test determined ultrasonic vibrations with the rotating tool can increase stretching limit up to 41.79% due to the affect on the sheet plasticity behavior.