Original scientific paper

Laser assisted bending for efficient light-weight-production

Ferdinand Bammer ; Vienna University of Technology, Institute for Production Engineering and Laser Technology, Gußhaus-Street 30, A-1040, Vienna, Austria
Thomas Schumi ; Vienna University of Technology, Institute for Production Engineering and Laser Technology, Gußhaus-Street 30, A-1040, Vienna, Austria
Andreas Otto ; Vienna University of Technology, Institute for Production Engineering and Laser Technology, Gußhaus-Street 30, A-1040, Vienna, Austria
Dieter Schuöcker ; Oberösterreichisches Laserzentrum, Gaswerkgasse 4, A-4810, Gmunden, Austria

Abstract

Laser-assisted bending is an efficient production method of light weight and/or high strength parts. It enables bending of Al-, Mg-, Ti-, and certain steel alloys by heating the bending line shortly before and during the bending process. Two solutions integrated in the lower tool of a bending machine are available: first with diode lasers, second with optics supplied by an external fiber coupled solid state laser. Experiments show that laser assisted bending of Al-parts needs the use of an absorption layer like graphite. In case of high strength steels an accurate temperature control is necessary and some steel-alloys lose strength due to this process. Mg- and Ti-alloys can be bent with this new method usually without complications. Further this new production method is an energy saving method for bending of brittle metals and the ease of operation, which can be compared with simple cold-bending, and it allows going new ways in construction and production of light weight parts.

Keywords

hot bending; light weight construction; diode laser; solid state lasers

Hrčak ID:

75405

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/75405

Publication date:

27.12.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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