Abstract
It is important for the end shell of aluminum beverage can to improve thinning in press forming for increasing buckling strength. To search an optimum process and die shape for improving thinning is attempted. However, traditionally the forming process and die designs have been based on trial-and error and the skill of experienced die-makers. The finite element (FE) analysis is an effective tool to predict a sheet deformation and to evaluate the forming process and die designs in press forming. This paper proposes a new buckling tooling system for the end shell forming and investigated effective factors to improve thinning using the FE analysis. The optimization method based on the numerical simulations is applied to search on optimum design point. The results show that the thinning can be improved up 7.3% by the design optimization of forming processes and shape of tool profile in this buckling tooling system.
