Investigation of the Role of the Initial Workpiece Diameter in Deformation Control in Electromagnetic Sheet Forming

The initial workpiece diameter is one of the most fundamental process parameters in sheet metal forming, as it determines the resistance of the draw-in material flow. In the context of conventional deep drawing, its critical role has been clearly identified. In the context of electromagnetic sheet forming, however, its role has not yet been adequately addressed. This paper aims to clarify its role, by experimentally and numerically investigating the deformation behavior of circular sheet metal in electromagnetic forming. Various combinations of the initial diameter and discharge voltage were established to induce different deformation behaviors. It was found that adjusting the initial diameter can substantially change the forming height, shape, and thickness distribution by altering the draw-in, which suggests a great improvement in deformation controllability. In summary, this study demonstrates that the initial workpiece diameter could play critical role in deformation control in electromagnetic forming.