Simulation of piercing processes in a helical rolling mill using the QForm software

摘要

Cross roll piercing is a process for producing hollow tubes from initially cylindrical billets. Typically, a two-pass process is used in cross roll piercing, but with the use of computer simulation it may be possible to identify a one-pass procedure that reduces machine time and increases productivity. QForm is a commercially available finite element code that can be used to handle large-deformation forming processes. This paper details the development of a QForm computer simulation of a one-pass piercing process, and compares the simulation results with results obtained experimentally. This approach to the development of the production process can reduce try-out costs when designing new piercing regimes in order to implement them at the present production facilities.