3D laser forming strategies for sheet metal by geometrical information

Abstract

Forming sheet metal by laser-induced thermal stress (laser forming) is considered to offer great potential for rapid prototyping and other flexible manufacturing. In order to apply the laser forming process to real 3D products, a method that encompasses the whole process planning, including the laser irradiation patterns, laser power, and travel speed, when the target shape is given. In this work a method for 3D laser forming of sheet metal is proposed by using a geometrical information rather than a complicated stress-strain analysis. Using this method the total calculation time is reduced considerably while affording strong potential for enhanced accuracy.