This paper presents the simulation results on prebending and hydroforming p
rocesses that are used to form an automotive part, a tie bar. Two prebendin
g simulations, by a rotary draw bending machine and a bend die, are carried
out to obtain the shape change of the cross-section and the thinning of th
e cube and the results are compared with each other. In prebending simulati
on with a rotary draw bending machine, to avoid wrinkling in compressive ar
ea of the tube, a wiper die is included. A parametric study is carried out
to obtain the effect of the forming parameters such as bend radius and tube
thickness. The hydroforming process is simulated considering the results o
f the prebending simulation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese
rved.