Abstract

Flow-forming is an innovative, chip less metal forming process used to manufacture thin walled seamless tubes and other axi-symmetric components. Experiments were conducted to form annealed AA6082 alloy tubular pre-forms into thin walled seamless tubes on CNC flow forming machine with a single roller. The process parameters selected for the present investigation are roller radius, mandrel speed, roller feed, thickness reduction, etc. The characteristics of flow formed tube chosen are ovality, mean diameter, thickness variation, surface finish, etc. The effects of these process parameters on the dimensional characteristics and surface quality of flow formed tubes have been studied. The optimum process parameters are proposed to manufacture the tubes with good dimensional characteristics and sound surface quality. It has been found that, roller radius of 4 to 8 mm, thickness reduction ranging from 30 to 35%, mandrel speed of 150 rpm and roller feed in the range of 100 to 130 mm/min formed the tubes with sound characteristics.

Key words: Flow-forming, AA6082 alloy, ovality, mean diameter, surface quality.