Investigation of the process of forming the transversal corrugation of bellows with minimum difference in thickness

In the article, studies were carried out to determine the possibility of confirming the hypothesis put forward about obtaining a more uniform bellows wall in the region of the corrugation top by shaping the bellows with an elastic medium in a two-stage method in a detachable sectional matrix using constrained bending technology. A description of the areas of application of bellows, their designs is given, the most advanced methods of manufacturing bellows and their main drawback are identified. The purpose of the study is defined and the corresponding tasks that need to be solved are set. The study used analytical research methods and finite element modeling. A method for shaping the bellows and the geometry of the shaping matrix are proposed. A technique for calculating the parameters of the technological process for two stages of bellows shaping is given. Pictures of the relative change in the thickness of the bellows corrugation during shaping in the traditional way and when shaping by the proposed method are presented. The distribution fields of equivalent stresses according to Mises are presented at the first and second transitions during shaping by the proposed method. A comparison is made and an assessment of the obtained results is given.