Roboforming in ISF—Characteristics, Development, and the Step Towards Industry 5.0

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of roboforming technologies in sheet metal forming, tracing their development from the 1960s to the present day. It highlights the significant acceleration in the development of these technologies in recent years and classifies them based on their applications. The paper also reviews key scientific research on the development and use of these technologies, discussing different production parameters that affect product quality. It also explores how these advancements align with the broader trends of flexibility, personalization, and sustainability within the context of Industry 5.0.

This is clearly a review paper but is not structured as one. I would recommend that the authors follow one of the formats of review papers. The information in the paper is well introduced but more statistical analysis on the functionality of each development phase and the specific parameters that differed is required.   

A table is suggested to be added to clarify the contribution of this article over other past ones.

Author Response

Reviewer 1

We sincerely appreciate your valuable comments and suggestions, which have helped us improve the manuscript. Below, we provide our responses. All changes in the manuscript are highlighted in yellow.

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is clearly a review paper but is not structured as one. I would recommend that the authors follow one of the formats of review papers. The information in the paper is well introduced but more statistical analysis on the functionality of each development phase and the specific parameters that differed is required. 

The paper has been reorganized to better align with the structure of a review article. Chapters have been added in response to recommendations from other reviewers. The table has been created as recommended.

A table is suggested to be added to clarify the contribution of this article over other past ones.

The contribution table has been created as recommended.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript presented an excellent review of roboforming. The topic is very interesting, and it is suggested to be accepted after revisions as follows:

1.  In section 2.6, the classification by integration of technologyies is limited. The hybrid method like combining ISF with deep drawing and the use of heat to enhance the forming process has been mentioned in the introduciton. They are should be included in this classification. There is also some hybrid process of ultra-sound assisted ISF. 

2. In section 2.5, the classification by industrial application of ISF is suggested to include some figures of real products.

Author Response

Reviewer 2

We sincerely appreciate your valuable comments and suggestions, which have helped us improve the manuscript. Below, we provide our responses. All changes in the manuscript are highlighted in yellow.

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript presented an excellent review of roboforming. The topic is very interesting, and it is suggested to be accepted after revisions as follows:

1. In section 2.6, the classification by integration of technologyies is limited. The hybrid method like combining ISF with deep drawing and the use of heat to enhance the forming process has been mentioned in the introduciton. They are should be included in this classification. There is also some hybrid process of ultra-sound assisted ISF.

Chapter 2.6 has been refined according to the recommendation. In light of suggestions from other reviewers, chapter 2.6 is now chapter 3.6.

2. In section 2.5, the classification by industrial application of ISF is suggested to include some figures of real products.

Since the photographs from the reviewed papers are protected by copyright, sketches made based on the available photographs have been used instead.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This paper aims to provide an overview of the classification of incremental forming and the selection of process parameters, among other aspects. The following additions are recommended:

(1) It is suggested to include the applicable scenarios of incremental forming, highlighting its advantages over traditional sheet metal forming in specific contexts. Additionally, providing some typical application examples would be beneficial.

(2) Based on the major systems of incremental forming, such as the control system, mechanical system, and measurement system, further elaboration on the advancements in these areas is recommended. Subsequently, the selection of tool heads and the determination of process parameters should be discussed in conjunction with materials and part types.

Author Response

Reviewer 3

We sincerely appreciate your valuable comments and suggestions, which have helped us improve the manuscript. Below, we provide our responses. All changes in the manuscript are highlighted in yellow.

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This paper aims to provide an overview of the classification of incremental forming and the selection of process parameters, among other aspects. The following additions are recommended:

(1) It is suggested to include the applicable scenarios of incremental forming, highlighting its advantages over traditional sheet metal forming in specific contexts. Additionally, providing some typical application examples would be beneficial.

Based on the recommendation, examples of ISF technology applications have been added in multiple places throughout the text, and advantages compared to conventional forming technologies have also been discussed.

 

(2) Based on the major systems of incremental forming, such as the control system, mechanical system, and measurement system, further elaboration on the advancements in these areas is recommended. Subsequently, the selection of tool heads and the determination of process parameters should be discussed in conjunction with materials and part types.

According to the recommendation, a new chapter titled "Process Optimization" has been added.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors applied most of the comments

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript has been well improved. It is suggested to be accepted.