Introduction

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.

Applications

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

Key process parameters such as rubber material, stamping velocity, rubber-pad hardness and thickness and friction conditions are investigated.

Potential Role of Rubber

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.

Design and Analysis

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.