FEM simulation of tube spinning with non-symmetric distribution of three rollers

Tube spinning with non-symmetric distribution of three rollers has special advantages in hot spinning of large-diameter tubular workpieces, but there is little information available in the literature concerning non-symmetric spinning. In the present study, the FEM model of non-symmetric spinning has been established and the spinning process has been simulated, which reveals deformation characteristics of non-symmetric tube spinning. The results show that non-symmetric distribution of three rollers makes the stress and strain field distributed not periodically along circumferential direction on the surface of tube billet. Although roller II and III have symmetric relationship the distribution of stress and strain rate near around the contact zone under the two rollers are obviously different. However, the distribution of stress and strain rate under roller I and II are similar to each other. The non-symmetric distribution of three rollers makes the area of roller contacting region different, which causes the plastic zone of roller III smaller than roller I and II. Correspondingly the spinning force of roller III is smaller than that of roller I and II. The distribution of deformation field can explain some phenomena reasonably such as axial extending, diameter growth and pileup during spinning.