Parametric Study and Optimization of Pulsed Laser Thermal Micro-Forming of Thin Sheets

Abstract

This article presents the investigations on deformation behavior in precision forming of thin sheet metal by laser pulses using finite element analysis. The temperature and deformation fields were estimated and analyzed in pulsed laser micro-forming of AISI 304 stainless steel sheet of rectangular and circular shape considering the effects of different process parameters such as laser power, spot diameter and pulse on time. Response surface models based on finite element simulation results were developed to study the effects of the process parameters on deformations for the rectangular and circular workpieces. The amount of deformation was increased with the increase in laser power and pulse on time, and it was decreased with the increase in spot diameter. The effects of pulse frequency and sample size on deformations were also explained. Experiments were conducted on pulsed laser micro-forming of stainless-steel sheet to validate the finite element results. The results of finite element simulations were in good agreement with the experimental results.