A laser-based heat treatment process for the fabrication of a bistable structure

This work demonstrates a repeatable two step-laser cutting and heat-treatment process for manufacturing bistable mechanical structures. This can reliably induce bistability, and through tuning of the laser processing parameters the snap-through force of the structure can be adjusted. • A simple two-step laser cutting and heat-treatment process for fabricating a bistable mechanical structure. • The heat-treatment process introduces residual stresses to the structure resulting in bowing of the main strip. • Tuning of the laser processing parameters results in a controllable snap-through force.