Incremental forming of cylindrical aluminum flanges using a new eccentric tool

Single point incremental forming is one of the novel processes in forming of metallic sheets that has created high forming levels in sheet by local plastic deformation. In this paper, new tool based on incremental forming principles is introduced for production of cylindrical flange. Using this tool for forming of the flange, the manual milling machine is used instead of milling machine equipped with computer numerical control (CNC). Forming of flange wall is accomplished by a new tool that includes two forming punches. Tool shank is fixed on milling machine spindle and the value of eccentricity determines the final diameter of flange. Movement of rotary tool is simple and downward with defined step. The results show that flanges with specified diameters can be formed by using this method very fast. Increasing the diameter of the primary hole created on the sheet increases the flange height but also increases the thinning. Increasing rotational speed results in forming flanges with higher height but increasing vertical feed rate of tool decreases the flange height.