Abstract:In order to establish an FEM model for aircraft integral panel press bend forming process, a special simulation procedure and a calculation method for the punch and die boundary condition based on the bending line coordinates were proposed. The simulation of a seven-step press bend forming process of doubly curved integrally stiffened aircraft panels was realized, and it could well simulate the real fabrication process, so that it could assist in studying this complicated forming process. Stress and strain distributions were analyzed, which reveals the deformation mechanics of this process. With quantitative comparisons, it can be concluded that forming quality of the seven step press bend forming is quite good, considering both the forming precision and the surface quality.

Key words: press bend forming; integrally stiffened aircraft panel; double curvature contour; FEM modelling