Numerical study of the of ultrasonic vibration in deep drawing process of circular sections with rubber die

Deep drawing is a practical process to create shell metal parts. In this process punch draw sheet metal into die cavity. Punch and die must be changed for part with new geometry leading to high costs and time waste. To overcome this problem, in the last years the use of rubber die has become more and more widespread. This technique requires the use of ultrasonic vibration that helps to reduce friction between punch and die and then the risk of thinning. In this paper a numerical study, based on finite element method, of the deep drawing process of circular sections with rubber die assisted by ultrasonic vibration is presented. An in depth analysis on the effects of amplitude and frequency of ultrasonic vibration is carried out. Results show that by increasing amplitude and frequency of ultrasonic vibration, limits on the forming force can be profitably increased, ensuring a better execution of the process.