Process design of 3-D sheet metal forming using plasma arc

In order to achieve the automatic path planning and control of forming accuracy during the sheet metal forming using plasma arc, the height contour scanning strategy, which is based on the geometry characteristics of the objective surface, is put forward and implemented, and the process parameters such as the plasma arc power, scanning velocity are determined based on the normal strain requirement of sheet metal forming; to improve the forming accuracy, the distribution of the error surface and the contour scanning strategy is combined to establish a feedback control. Theoretical analysis and experimental study shows that these methods are feasible and effective. The research has an important significance in achieving automatic scanning strategy planning for the forming of complex surfaces.