Springback

Springback is the geometric change made to a part at the end of the forming process when the part has been released from the forces of the forming tool. Upon completion of sheet metal forming, deep-drawn and stretch-drawn parts spring back and thereby affect the dimensional accuracy of a finished part. The final form of a part is changed by springback, which makes it difficult to produce the part. As a result, the manufacturing industry is faced with some practical problems: Firstly, prediction of the final part geometry after springback and secondly, appropriate tools must be designed to compensate for these effects.

Through the application of new materials, the number of problems increases. Forming parts made of these materials are more affected by springback than parts made from conventional deep-drawn steel. Concerning classic sheet metal defects such as splits and wrinkles, strain in the sheet metal is decisive. If springback occurs, such models are not enough to predict a deformation. In this case, the stresses are decisive and a considerably higher accuracy is crucial.

During the development of tools, springback is compensated by software in order to remove the part from the tool straight away in the required dimensions. Intense tryout loops, which occur at a very late stage in the development of the tool, are reduced to a minimum.

Simulation software can not only detect springback early on, it can also compensate for it. In this way, tooling processes are improved and manufacturing costs are significantly decreased. Springback compensation thus minimizes the risk of costly changes to tools or processes later on.

Further information on springback at AutoForm:

Stand & Deliver

Calculating Springback Compensation with Simulation Software

Software for Springback Compensation