Study of the implementation of SPIF as a Reshaping strategy in terms of formability and accuracy performance

The adaption of circular economy strategies has become increasingly necessary in current times. Researches need to be addressed on finding alternative processes or the modification of the existing processes in order to reprocess End-of-Life (EoL) components and consequently recover both materials and their functions. This research paper focuses on the use of single point incremental forming (SPIF) process for the Reshaping of sheet metal EoL components. Uniaxial and biaxial pre-straining was performed on AA5754 sheets to imitate an end-of-life component, and SPIF operations were carried out so as to obtain reshaped components. In previous works, the authors have proven the technical feasibility of the said approach. The present work is focused on analyzing the possible variation in formability as well as in geometrical accuracy of SPIF process when utilized to reform components. An experimental campaign involving the variation of the pre-straining levels as well as the type (uniaxial and biaxial) was developed, and the resulting formability and geometrical accuracy of the subsequent SPIF operations were then analyzed. Results showed that SPIF is a perfect candidate as Reshaping process. In fact, a very limited reduction in formability as well as the no worsening in geometrical accuracy performance was observed on the different pre-straining paths here analyzed.