Abstract

A computational method based on the three-dimensional finite element method is developed for the deformation analysis of roll forming process. the method approximates the process as a kinematically steady state deformation of strip. For industrial usefulness of the simulation method several rolls with arbitrary shapes in one stand can be considered. The shapes and the thickness distributions of strip after roll forming were examined by comparing computation results with experiments It is concluded that the tool is useful enough to predict the process. The overall simulation method was integrated into a sorftware package to help the industrial roll-design.

Keywords

• roll forming;
• computer simulation;
• finite element method