Ultrasonic Reflection Characteristics of Wrinkle in Sheet Metal Forming

―Evaluation by FDTD Analysis and Ultrasonic Measurement Using Model Specimen―

Abstract

Ultrasonic reflection characteristics that vary with wrinkling enable the detection of wrinkles during press forming. In this study, we investigated the influence of wrinkles on ultrasonic reflection characteristics by Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) analysis and experiments with model specimens. The wrinkle shape on the model specimen was made into a trapezoid by electric discharge machining. FDTD analysis was performed using the analysis model that reproduces experimental situations. The first reflection wave occurring at the lower surface of the upper die affected the ultrasonic characteristics, which changed with wrinkle wavelength. The effective diameter of the ultrasonic probe and the irradiation diameter of the ultrasonic wave also affected the ultrasonic reflection characteristics. In the region where the ratio of the irradiation diameter of the ultrasonic wave to the wrinkle wavelength is 0.3 or more, the reflection intensity depends on the irradiation position of the ultrasonic wave. The irradiation position at the maximum reflection intensity varies depending on the fraction of the effective diameter of the ultrasonic probe and the wrinkle wavelength.