Numerical investigation of micro-scale sheet metal bending using laser beam scanning

Abstract

Numerical methods such as the finite element analysis (FEA) are revolutionizing the conventional trial-and error methods for laser beam scanning industry today. These methods have proven to be very useful in product development and process design. With simulation procedure being proposed, 3D numerical simulations on a micro-scale suspension flexure due to laser beam scanning have been carried out, which includes a non-linear transient indirect coupled thermal-mechanical analysis accounting for the temperature dependency of the thermal and mechanical properties of materials. From the simulation results, relationships between the permanent bending angle of the flexure and the scanning parameters are established and this will help to predict the bending angle of the micro-scale sheet metal under any other scanning condition.