| In plastic deformation processes, where mass production has been dominant, the necessity to produce a variety of products in a small quantity has increased. As this trend continues it is critical to use rapid prototyping techniques. The work reported here is a new forming technology known as Die-less forming. Shapes made by Die-less forming correspond to the product shape required and application to various non-symmetric shapes of products is possible, and process design is relatively easy.;This work presents experimental data on a method of forming sheet metal into axi-symmetrical sections without expensive metal dies. The shape of a part is entered into software, which generates the code for the tool path on a three-axis mill---software used is MasterCam. Once this has been done in the design office, (the DAPR Design Automation Product Research) Laboratory facilities at Queen's, the tool path code is transferred to a three-axis mill which is equipped with a special sheet forming jig where the part is then formed.;The feasibility of the process was investigated by forming three shapes of uniform cross-section, cone, square and hexagon. It has been shown that forming non-symmetric shapes with a three-axis mill was possible, without the use of expensive dies, hence the term Die-less forming. |
