About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
2026 Technical Division Student Poster Contest
|
| Presentation Title |
SPG-29: A Finite Difference Thermal Model for Mapping the Bending Mechanism Transition in Laser Forming |
| Author(s) |
Partha Das, Benjamin A. Begley, Zoe A. Lipton, Nathan Fripp, Tianchen Wei, Victoria M. Miller |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Partha Das |
| Abstract Scope |
Laser forming is a versatile sheet metal bending process governed primarily by the Temperature Gradient Mechanism (TGM) and the Buckling Mechanism (BM). In the TGM the sheet bends toward the laser, while in the BM the bending direction depends on material properties, process conditions, and geometry. Mapping the TGM to BM transition enables mechanism-controlled laser forming with improved stability and repeatability, reducing reliance on costly trial-and-error and finite element simulations. However, reliably predicting this transition across materials, thicknesses, and process windows remains challenging. This work develops and validates a fast finite difference thermal model that maps the transition using a heated volume around the scan line above a threshold temperature. The model computes transient temperature fields for thin stainless steel shim stock across powers, speeds, and beam diameters, and applies a critical temperature criterion as a rule of thumb. Controlled 50 W laser experiments provide calibration and validation. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |
| Keywords |
Modeling and Simulation, Shaping and Forming, Iron and Steel |