[A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z]

factor Rib-like projections on a draw ring or blank holder for controlling metal flow.  Also called a spleen or bead.” (Automotive Steel Partnership, 1991, p. 6). feed See progression. fem See finite element method. fill slide See filler cam. filler cam A dwell type cam-slide that generally fits the part shape and retracts to permit loading and unloading of the part.  Also called fill slide. fillet The concave intersection of two surfaces.  In forging, the desired radius at the concave intersection of two surfaces is usually specified. final hem contact path Angle between a line (formed by a point on the final hem steel at first contact with flange to the same point at end of final hem) and the mating surface. final hem dwell Duration of time which the final hem steel stay at final hem position. final hem face geometry Angle of the final hem steels measured relative to the mating flange area. (See Figure F1) final hem force Maximum force required to bend flange from pre hem position to final hem position. final hem springback Elastic recovery that follows plastic deformation when the final hem load is removed. (See Figure F2) final hem steel Hardened steels mounted to the hemmer to bend the flange from pre-hem angle to final hem. finish (1) The surface appearance of a product. (2) The forging operation in which the part is forged into its final shape in the finish die.  If only one finish operation is scheduled to be performed in the finish die, this operation will be identified simply as finish; first, second, or third finish designations are so termed when one or more finish operations are to be performed in the same finish die. finish form The act of forming a panel shape to the finish position.  Also see restrike. finite element method (FEM) A method of analysis developed for prediction, practical forming of the instantaneous velocities, strain rates, strains, stresses and temperatures within the deforming metal. flange A projecting rim or edge of a part, usually narrow and of approximately constant width for stiffening or fastening. flange die Die used to form a flange from a blank. (See Figure F3) flange inside breakline radius Inside of metal radius of the upturned flange of the outer panel formed by the flanging process over the flange die corner radius. flange inside of metal breakline Midpoint of the inside of metal breakline radius. flange outside breakline radius Outside of metal radius of the upturned flange of the outer panel formed by the flanging process.  It is equivalent to the sum of the inside breakline radius and the sheet metal thickness. (See Figure  F4) flange outside of metal breakline Midpoint of the outside of metal breakline radius. (See Figure F5) flange relief Flange material that has been cut to allow flange to lay flat after final hem. (See Figure F6) flange steel A steel used in a forming operation in which a narrow strip at the edge of a sheet or part is bent down along a straight or curved line.  Also called a wiping steel. flange stripper A stripper that pushes against the bottom edge or surface of a flange to release the part from the stool. flanging “A variable that is deliberately varied or changed in a controlled manner in an experiment to observe its effects on the response variable; sometimes called an independent variable or causal variable” (Moen, R. D., Nolan, T. W., Provost, L. P., 1991, p.404). flanging springback Elastic recovery that follows plastic deformation when the flanging load is removed. (See Figure F7) flash (1) The excess metal attached to a part after a forming operation. (2) The excess material that squeezes out between the joint lines of mold dies. flat surface contour Curvature with no radius. (See Figure F8) flattened hem A flange that is folded back over upon itself.  It is used primarily for appearance and removal of dangerous sheared edges.  Also called closed hem. (See Figure F9) flattening (1) A preliminary operation performed on forging stock to position the metal for a subsequent forging operation. (2) The removal of irregularities or distortion in sheets or plates by a method such as roller leveling or stretcher leveling. flattening dies Dies used to flatten sheet metal hems; that is, dies that can flatten a bend by closing it.  These dies consist of a top and bottom die with a flat surface that can close one section (flange) to another (hem, seam). flex roll A movable roll designed to push up against a sheet as it passes through a roller leveler.  The flex roll can be adjusted to deflect the sheet any amount up to the roll diameter. flex rolling Passing sheets through a flex roll unit to minimize yield-point elongation in order to reduce the tendency for stretcher strains to appear during forming. floating die (1) A die mounted in a die holder or a punch mounted in its holder such that a slight amount of motion compensates for tolerance in the die parts, the work, or the press. (2) A die mounted on heavy springs to allow vertical motion in some trimming, shearing, and forming operations. floating form punch A draw die punch that is supported by air cylinders or other means instead of being tied to the inner press ram.  This allows adjustment for the amount of preform desired and helps to eliminate binding between the punch and the die. flow lines (1) Texture showing the direction of metal flow during hot or cold working.  Flow lines can often be revealed by etching the surface or a section of a metal part. (2) In mechanical metallurgy, paths followed by minute volumes of metal during deformation. fluid forming A modification of the Guerin process, fluid forming differs from the fluid-cell process in that the die cavity, called a pressure dome, is not completely filled with rubber, but with hydraulic fluid retained by a cup-shaped rubber diaphragm.  See also rubber-padforming. fluid-cell process A modification of the Guerin process for forming sheet metal, the fluid-cell process uses higher pressure and is primarily designed for forming slightly deeper parts, using a rubber pad as either the die or punch.  A flexible hydraulic fluid cell forces an auxiliary rubber pad to follow the contour of the form block and exert a nearly uniform pressure at all points on the workpiece. See also Jluid forming and rubber-pad forming. flush The outer panel surface relationship to a mating panel. (See Figure F10) flying cam See aerial cam. flying cut-off device A cutting die, saw, or wheel that cuts work to length while it is moving. flying shear A machine for cutting continuous rolled products to length that does not require a halt in rolling, but rather moves along the runout table at the same speed as the product while performing the cutting, and then returns to the starting point in time to cut the next piece. foil Metal in sheet form less than 0. 15 mm (0.006 in.) thick. follow die A progressive die consisting of two or more parts in a single holder; used with a separate lower die to perform more than one operation (such as piercing and blanking) on a part in two or more stations. forging A metal forming process which a billet with carefully controlled volume is deformed (hot or cold) by a punch in order to fill a die cavity. form block Tooling, usually the male part, used for forming sheet metal contours; generally used in rubber-pad forming. form die A die used to change the shape of a sheet metal blank with minimal plastic flow. formability The ease with which a metal can be shaped through plastic deformation.  Evaluation of the formability of a metal involves measurement of strength, ductility, and the amount of deformation required to cause fracture.  The term workability is used interchangeably with formability; however, formability refers to the shaping of sheet metal, while workability refers to shaping materials by bulk forming.. forming The plastic deformation of a billet or a blanked sheet between tools (dies) to obtain the final configuration.  Metalforming processes are typically classified as bulk forming and sheet forming.  Also referred to as metalworking. Making any change in the shape of a metal piece which does not intentionally reduce the metal thickness and which produces a useful shape. forming die A die in which the shape of the punch and die is directly reproduced in the metal with little or no metal flow. forming limit diagram (FLD) “A bending operation in which a narrow strip at the edge of a sheet is bent up or down along a straight or curved line.  It is used for edge strengthening, appearance, rigidity and the removal of sheared edges.  A flange is often used as a fastening surface (Automotive Steel Partnership, 1991, p. 7). free-shoe die A die constructed so the upper shoe is linked to the lower shoe and not secured in any way to the press ram.  Used for blanking or secondary cutting operations.  Also called bumper-actuated die. french cut See pitch notch. french notch See pitch notch. french hook A load centering eye bolt which allows the eye to pivot 1800, but the base is not made to swivel.