Abstract:
In laser bending process, metal sheets are deformed by using thermal stresses
induced due to controlled laser heating. Straight line heating is used to manu-
facture simple shapes while curvilinear irradiation is used to generate 3D
complex shapes. Scanning path curvature is an important parameter that
controls the deformation pro le of a worksheet. This article presents system-
atic investigations into in uence of scanning path curvature on the thermal
stresses based deformation behavior, temperature distribution and warping
of the magnesium M1A sheets. Initially, a three-dimensional nonlinear ther-
momechanical nite element model of curvilinear laser bending process has
been developed. Mathematical correlations have been derived to model the
curvilinear irradiations. The developed model has been validated by using
experimental studies. Then, numerical investigations have been performed on
temperature distribution, stress–strain distribution and distortions occur in the
laser bent magnesium alloy sheets. Results indicated that sheet bends away
from the scanning path. One of the key ndings is that low to medium levels
of arc height reduce the edge eect during laser bending, while higher values
of arc height produce warping at the free edge. It is envisaged that presented
results will be useful to manufacture 3D complex shapes and to align complex
geometry sheets.
