Statistical analysis of laser bending of ultra-thin IF steel sheets using curvilinear irradiation path

Abstract The laser bending process of ultra-thin Interstitial Free (IF) steel sheets with a curved irradiation path is carried out experimentally. The curved irradiation path is used to bend an ultra-thin sheet while preventing localized melting. The thickness of the IF steel sheets was 0.7 mm. The sheet is very thin, and a curved irradiation path is used to bend it without melting. The Y-displacements at the bent edge are measured utilizing a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The influence of process parameters, including laser output power (LOP), laser scanning speed (LSS), and the number of irradiations (NIS), on the average Y-displacement (AYD) at the bent edge is statistically analyzed. A design of experiments (DOE) methodology grounded in response surface methodology (RSM) is used to conduct a precise and comprehensive examination of the effects of each input parameter and their interactions on the AYD. The experimental findings confirm a direct relationship between AYD and LOP: as the LOP increases, the AYD rises. Conversely, increasing LSS decreases AYD. Additionally, increasing the NIS increases the AYD for the laser-bent edge of the ultra-thin IF sheet. Parameter optimization concluded that the maximum AYD of 15.92 mm is achieved with the following input variables: LOP at 100 W, LSS at 1 mm/s, and NIS at 20 passes.