Abstract:

In this paper, laser bending process of titanium alloy sheets which are difficult to be deformed at normal temperature has been carried out. The effects of process parameters and geometry of sheets on the bending angle of sheets have been studied. The results show that:（i）the following process parameters ranges for laser bending of titanium ally sheets are optimum:1.0¹.2kW for laser power, 2³m/min for scanning velocity and 6⁷mm for laster spot diameter; （ii）the bending angle after one time scanning decreases with an increasing thickness of sheet and increases with an increasing width of sheet;（iii）the bending angle after the first scan is in proportion to the number of laser scans. Laser bending is a flexible manufacturing process without an external force and die being induced, and it is very useful for the forming of hard deformed and brittle material due to its character of accumulative little deformation.

Key words: titanium alloy, sheets, laser bending, thermal stress, temperature gradient, bending angle