Nowadays there is an increasing tendency to use the finite element methods in the design of sheet metal forming processes. The classical trial and error procedures are replaced with simulations of the processes. In order to obtain valuable data that can be used in real life it is necessary to create accurate simulations that should reproduce as close as possible the conditions of the real process. This paper presents a series of simulations of the U bending process and analyses the evolution of the stress – strain state in different conditions. The results of the simulations will be compared with experimental ones.
