Research on precision control of sheet metal forming by laser shock waves with semi-die

Laser shock forming is a new technique which enables sheet metal to produce plastic deformation through shock waves induced by high energy pulsed laser. However, it is difficult to control the forming precision with such technique. This paper provided the kinetic analysis of sheet metal during the progress of laser shock forming with semi-die. It also developed the method of forming precision control with optimal laser pulse energy, method of die modification and compensation based on reverse analysis and method of characterizing the precision of laser shock forming with semi-die. The Nd:Glass pulse laser was used in the laser shock semi-die forming experiment of constant elastic alloy 3J53 sheet metal. The experiment results show that the optimal laser pulse energy of precision control in laser shock semi-die forming is 15 J; and forming error can be reduced by more than 50% with the method of contours modification and compensation. The research work also lays a foundation for the theory formation of precision control of laser shock semi-die forming and the engineering applications of the laser shock forming technique.

► Precision characterization of laser shock forming with semi-die was presented in this paper.
► Forming precision was improved through optimization of laser energy and precision control of the die.
► The experiment results show that the optimal laser pulse energy in laser shock forming is 15 J.
► Based on reverse technique, the forming error can be reduced by more than 50% by die modification.