Analysis of Proximity Consequences of Coil Windings in Electromagnetic Forming

Abstract

Multiturn coils are required for manufacturing sheet metal parts with varying depths and special geometrical features using electromagnetic forming (EMF). Due to close coil turns, the physical phenomena of the proximity effect and Lorentz forces between the parallel coil windings are observed. This work attempts to investigate the mechanical consequences of these phenomena using numerical and experimental methods. A numerical model was developed in LS-DYNA. It was validated using experimental post-mortem strain and laser-based velocity measurements after and during the experiments, respectively. It was observed that the proximity effect in the parallel conductors led to current density localization at the closest or furthest ends of the conductor cross-section and high local curvature of the formed sheet. Further analysis of the forces between two coil windings explained the departure from the “inverse-distance” rule observed in the literature. Finally, some measures to prevent or reduce undesired coil deformation are provided.