Geometry-dependent parameterization of local support in robot-based incremental sheet forming

Abstract This article describes new developments in an incremental, robot-based sheet metal forming process for the production of sheet metal components for small lot sizes and prototypes. The dieless kinematic-based generation of the sheet metal’s shape is implemented by means of two industrial robots, which are interconnected to a cooperating robot system. With the help of this system, an experimental survey has been carried out to examine the influence of the support force and the support angle of the supporting tool on the geometric accuracy. Their influence is illustrated with the help of various experimental results shown and interpreted within this article.