Influence of Angular Segment Irradiating Path on Deformation Behavior During Laser Forming of Aluminium Alloy Sheet
U. Nath and V. Yadav
The investigation of the influence of irradiation path in the laser forming process is a crucial aspect that opens a way to explore the diverse phenomena involved in the irradiated sheet that led to manufacture complex forms. This paper discusses the influence of angular segment irradiating path on the deformational behaviors of aluminium Al6061-T6 sheets under laser forming process. In order to describe the irradiations along angular segments, mathematical correlations have been established. The validity of the constructed numerical model is assessed by experimental tests that are conducted within the specified operating parameters. Computed predictions concerning evolutions of the temperature, stress, strain and displacement fields in the irradiated sheets are analyzed in order to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding and study of the underlying phenomena occurring in the angular segment forming process. The results indicated that the final bending deflection increases with an increase in the segment angle of the heating line. It is observed that the final shape of the formed aluminium alloy sheet is affected by the angular segment irradiating path. The mechanical properties of the formed sheet are studied experimentally under a benchmark process condition. The findings of the present research will be useful in real laser forming application to manufacture three-dimensional complex shapes.
Keywords: Laser forming, angular segment irradiating scheme, deformational behavior, aluminium alloys, finite element method