Tubular Hydroforming: Correlation of Experimental and Simulation Results

Forming simulations using finite element analysis (FEA) are being used extensively in the automotive industry to shorten product development time and to reduce prototype costs. In this study, finite element analysis is used to simulate a tubular hydroforming process. Correlation between simulation and experimental results is made for a tube that is hydroformed in a die containing a circular expansion. Additional issues discussed in this study include thinning of the tube wall and the effects of weld properties, friction and tube length on the forming process.