Finite element analysis of multi-pass drawing under back tension using a virtual state-variable body-force method

Abstract

In this paper, a virtual state-variable body-force method is presented to simulate multi-pass drawing processes with back tension or compression exerted on their back sides using finite element method with higher accuracy. In the method, back tension or compression is exerted on a part of material in the non-plastic region as an artificial body-force instead of traction prescribed on the surface. The approach promotes the generality of the approach since it has nothing to do with remeshing during simulation and the resultant force can be controlled with ease by changing the artificial body-force. The approach is applied to a six-pass drawing process with different back tensions, showing that the presented approach guarantees the accuracy as well as generality or applicability. ? 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.