FEA of electromagnetic forming using a new coupling algorithm

Finite element modeling of electromagnetic forming includes modeling of mechanical aspects, modeling of electromagnetic aspects, and a coupling method between the two models. The electromagnetic problem is to determine the magnetic pressure and its temporal and spatial distribution. Whereas the mechanical problem is to find out workpiece deformation resulting from the magnetic pressure applied on this workpiece. Nonetheless complications in the simulation exist due to pressure variation with workpiece deformation. These difficulties can be resolved by using one of the known coupling algorithms; loose coupling, or strong coupling. But these coupling strategies either have low accuracy of results or take long simulation time. The current research introduces an enhanced loose coupling algorithm for simulation of electromagnetic sheet metals bulging. The proposed coupling strategy takes into account deformation effects on pressure without the need for solving the updated electromagnetic model every new time step. Comparison between present simulation results and experimental results of other researchers showed good agreement. Effective plastic strain, and effective plastic strain rate distribution and evolution were presented in addition to thickness and deflection evolution of the workpiece.