Rubber-Pad Forming Processes

Technology and Applications

This book describes different types of rubber-pad forming processes currently being studied for their experimental and numerical advantages and disadvantages. Rubber forming adopts a rubber pad contained in a rigid box in which one of the tools (die or punch) is replaced by the rubber pad. Up to 60% of all sheet metal parts in aircraft industry such as frames, seat parts, ribs, windows and doors are fabricated using rubber-pad forming processes. Key process parameters such as rubber material, stamping velocity, rubber-pad hardness and thickness and friction conditions are investigated.

• The potential role of rubber as a flexible punch in metal working processes is to give insight to engineers about different parts that can be produced using this process
• The procedure of suitable die design for each process is presented in detail
• Full defect analysis is undertaken with a thorough report presented to optimize rubber-pad forming processes