Numerical analysis of a skew rolling process for producing axle shafts

Numerical analysis of a skew rolling process for producing axle shafts

Zbigniew Pater, Janusz Tomczak, Tomasz Bulzak

Lublin University of Technology, 36 Nadbystrzycka, 20-618 Lublin, Poland.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7494/cmms.2016.2.0561

Abstract:

The paper presents a numerical analysis of a skew rolling process for producing axle shafts for a motor truck. In this process, three forming tools (disc or conical rolls) located every 120° on the circumference of the workpiece are set askew relative to the axis of the workpiece and they are rotated in the same direction at identical speed. The rollers can converge or diverge (relative to the axis of the workpiece) depending on the applied cross sectional reduction of a shaft step. In addition, the spacing of the rolls is synchronized with axial displacement of the workpiece-holding chuck. An advantage of this process is its universality, because the same rolls can be used to form different products depending on the motion of the rolls and chuck. Based on the numerical results, we compared two skew rolling techniques, each using differently shaped tools. The results of effective strain, temperature, damage function as well as loads and torques demonstrate that skew rolling is an effective method for producing elongated parts such as stepped axles and shafts.

Cite as:

Pater, Z., Tomczak, J., Bulzak, T. (2016). Numerical analysis of a skew rolling process for producing axle shafts. Computer Methods in Materials Science, 16(2), 63 – 69. https://doi.org/10.7494/cmms.2016.2.0561

Article (PDF):

Keywords:

Skew rolling, Axle shafts, FEM, Metalforming

References:

Lange, K., 1985, Handbook of Metal Forming, McGraw-HillBook Comp., London.Pater, Z., 2005, The Analysis of the Strain in Parts Formed byMeans of the Wedge-Rolls Rolling (WRR), Archives of Metallurgy and Materials, 50, 675-690.

Pater, Z., 2013, Multi-wedge cross rolling of balls, Journal ofIron and Steel Research International, 20, 46-50.

Pater, Z., 2014a, Cross-Wedge Rolling, In Comprehensive MaterialsProcessing, Button, S. T., Ed.; Elsevier Ltd., 3, 211-279.

Pater, Z., 2014b, Analysis of the helical-wedge rolling processfor producing a workholding bolt, Metalurgija, 53, 653-656.

Pater, Z., 2014c, Analysis of the Helical-Wedge Rolling Processfor Producing a Long Stepped Shaft, Key EngineeringMaterials, 622-623, 893-89.

Pater, Z., Bulzak, T., Tofil, A., Tomczak, J., 2013a, Helicalwedgerolling of balls, Kovarenstvi, 47, 84-87.

Pater, Z., Tofil, A., 2007, Experimental and Theoretical Analysisof the Cross-Wedge Rolling Process in Cold FormingConditions, Archives of Metallurgy and Materials, 52,289-297.

Pater, Z., Tomczak, J., Bartnicki, J., Lovell, M. R., Menezes, P.L., 2013b, Experimental and numerical analysis of helical-wedge rolling process for producing steel balls, InternationalJournal of Machine Tools & Manufacture,67, 1-7.

Shu, X., Li, Z., Zu, W., 2012, Bending Analysis and Measuresof the Forming of Automobile Semi-axle on Cross-Wedge Rolling with Multi-wedge, Applied Mechanicsand Materials, 184-185, 75-79.

Sor, E. R., 1960, New rolling processes, Ed. Metalurgizdat,Moscow (in Russian).

Sun, B., Zeng, X., Shu, X., Peng, W., Sun, P., 2012, FeasibilityStudy on Forming Hollow Axle with Multi-wedge Synchrostepby Cross Wedge Rolling, Applied Mechanicsand Materials, 201-202, 673-677.

Tomczak, J., Pater, Z., Bartnicki, J., 2013, Skew rolling of ballsin multiple helical impressions, Archives of Metallurgyand Materials, 58, 1072-1076.

Zhao, J., Lu, L., 2012, The application of multi-wedge crosswedge rolling forming long shaft technology, AppliedMechanics and Materials, 101-102, 1002-1005.

Zhao, J., Lu, L., Hu, Z., 2011, Simulation of forming automotivesemi-axes with multi-wedge cross wedge rolling, InternationalJournal of Computer Applications in Technology,41, 17-21.

Zhou, J., Yu, Z., Zeng, Q., 2014, Analysis and experimentalstudies of internal voids in multi-wedge cross wedgerolling stepped shaft, The International Journal of AdvancedManufacturing Technology, 72 , 1559-1566.