The Bending Angle Prediction, Using the Size of Microstructure Change in the Laser Forming Process

The laser sheet metal forming process has significant importance in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and ship building, which previously relied on using expensive stamping dies and presses. In this paper, a simplified model has been developed to predict the bending angle. The calculation of bending angle by a simplified model takes less time than three-dimensional finite element simulation, which is used to analyze the process. The effect of process parameters on bending angle and predicting of bending angle by calculating plastic zone have been studied. The tests have shown that the bending angle is directly proportional to the laser power and is in inverse proportion to the path feed-rate and the laser spot beam diameter. The comparison between theoretical and experimental results has shown reasonable agreements.