An experimental investigation of parameters effect on laser forming of Al6061-T6 sheets

Laser forming, which is categorized as a thermal forming process, is used in forming and bending of metallic and non-metallic sheets. Laser beam irradiation causes a localized temperature increase and a localized mechanical strength decrease. In this article, the effects of four process parameters, comprising laser power, scan velocity, the number of scan passes, and sheet thickness, on laser forming of Al6061-T6 sheets are studied. A design of experiment, including response surface methodology, is carried out to limit the experimental runs and costs and to identify the parameter effects on the bending angle of the sheet. Experiment results show that bending angle increases due to the decrease of scan velocity and sheet thickness. In addition, laser power and number of scan passes have a direct relation with a final sheet forming.