Review on incremental sheetmetal forming process: deformation mechanisms and recent developments

Incremental sheet metal forming (ISF) process is an established agile forming method wherein the blank of the sheet metal is deformed into a preferred geometric by the sequence of bit-by-bit local deformation produced by the forming tool. There is no need for a die to shape the sheet metal, which is the principal strength of this process. The review made on the ISF process and particularly the different deformation mechanisms that are generated on the sheet metal during the ISF process are discussed broadly in this paper. The effects of this deformation mechanism on the ISF process are also discussed. The recent developments in ISF processes, such as Heat Assisted ISF process, Water Jet ISF process, Electromagnetic ISF process for sheet metals and Multi-stage ISF process, are also discussed in detail. Each of these processes possesses its distinct merits and demerits which are also listed. The ISF process is performed on different materials that were also discussed.