Experimental Investigations on the Surface Roughness of AA6082 Flow Formed Tubes: A Taguchi Approach

摘要

Flow-forming is eco-friendly, chip less metal forming process. A single roller flow forming machine has been used to manufacture the thin walled tubes of AA6082 alloy. Design Of Experiments have been used to study the process. The effect of process parameters on the surface finish of flow formed tubes have been investigated by Taguchi method. The main flow-forming parameters selected for the present investigation are axial feed of the roller, speed of the mandrel, and roller radius. The effects of these input parameters on the response, surface roughness (R_a) have been critically analyzed. It has been found that the roller feed, roller radius and speed of the mandrel are the most important process parameters influencing the surface roughness of flow formed tube. A finish of 2.30μm is produced by flow forming process when the process parameters were set at their optimum values.