Abstract: The analytical springback prediction model of tailor welded blanks (TWBs) for air bending process is put forward under a series of assumptions such as the plane section and plane bending, the asymmetry of the cross-section of TWBs is taken into account in the prediction model. The location of stress neutral layer of TWBs is determined using the exponential hardening law. The angle after springback for TWBs is calculated by incorporating the interaction moment between two parent planes on the phase of unloading. The nonlinear implicit relationship between punch displacement and the unloaded or loaded angle is solved by incremental numerical method, the code is compiled using Fortran language. TWBs’ air bending experiment is performed using improved tensile test machine for the two thickness ratios’ TWBs (0.8/1 and 2.5/2), the results of experiment and analytical prediction model for the two thickness ratios’ TWBs are agreed well with each other, it is the foundation of the theory and experiment for TWBs’ air bending process real-time control technology.

Key words: Air bending, Springback, Tailor welded blanks