Experimental study on laser bending of mild steel with buckling mechanism

Abstract

Abstract: Laser bending has emerged as a promising technique for shaping metallic sheets with high precision and flexibility. However, the traditional temperature gradient mechanism (TGM) of laser bending faces limitations in achieving large bend angle especially for low-thickness and high-conductive sheets. The buckling mechanism (BM) has the potential to overcome this limitation, as it does not require a high temperature gradient. Despite this potential, the BM has not been widely explored experimentally. In this study, the BM is comprehensively investigated, and analyzed the effect of laser power, scanning speed, worksheet width and laser beam diameter on bend angle, top surface temperature, and mechanical and metallurgical properties. It is found that the bend angle first increases and then decreases with the increase in laser power and scanning speed, while it increases with worksheet width and laser beam diameter. The top surface temperature increases with the number of scans and decreases with beam diameter and worksheet width. Furthermore, the BM results in grain refinement within the scanned region, and improvements in tensile strength and hardness, albeit at a reduction in ductility. The bend angle achieved with BM is found to be 100% greater than TGM. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of the BM for high-precision manufacturing applications.