laser forming
laser forming
(OP)
How does laser forming work?
I understand that the metals react to the heat, and that the effect can be calculated but what actually is the effect?
I believe thermal expansion occurs, but would thermal contraction occur too?
Any information on this process would be most welcome!
I understand that the metals react to the heat, and that the effect can be calculated but what actually is the effect?
I believe thermal expansion occurs, but would thermal contraction occur too?
Any information on this process would be most welcome!





RE: laser forming
http://mfgshop.sandia.gov/1400_ext/icaleo98.pdf
http://www.jdmag.wpafb.af.mil/laser%20engineered%20net%20shaping.pdf
http://www.aerometcorp.com/
http://www.optomec.com/
http://www.pom.net/
RE: laser forming
The bending action is caused by thermal stresses in say a sheet or plate due to localised rapid heating and cooling.
In the case of a laser, the beam energy is sufficient to cause a steep thermal gradient but scanned at a speed so that it does not cause melting. The resultant thermal expansion of the material causes a thermal stress which deforms the material plastically. Only if there is some plastic deformation will there be any permanent bending.
The laser is much more precise and controlled than the old flame method, and the quench is provided by the "heat sink" effect common to most forms of laser surface treatment.
TJA
RE: laser forming
is holding a 1 day seminar at Warwick Uni UK (March 4) on "Rapid Tooling by Laser". A presenter named Dave Drearden from Liverpool Uni is presenting a talk titled "Laser Forming of Sheet Metal".
Refer www.ailu.org.uk
TJA