Abstract: In order to produce thick plates with complicated curved surface, a prototype bending machine by use of high frequency inductor is developed. The bending mechanism is based on the localized thermal stresses which are induced from the difference of temperature in thickness by the high frequency inductor. The operating speed and the thickness of plate are examined from the experiment, and the variation of temperature is measured. Finite element analysis is carried out, in the second part, based on the experimentally obtained temperature distribution. So-called "Mindlin plate element"is used in order to perform the simulation efficiently. We discuss the strategy to produce such curved surface in the practical process and describe further perspective of the production system.

Key words: plate bending, high frequency inductor, die-less forming, thermoelasto-plastic deformation, finite element method