How Different Coating Conditions Affect Temperature and Bend Angle when Laser Bending Mild Steel Sheet
R. Yadav, D.K. Goyal and R. Kant
Laser material processing has diverse applications in the manufacturing industries. The efficiency of laser material processing depends on the interaction of the laser beam with workpiece material. This study investigates the effect of different coating conditions (graphite spray and black spray paint) on the mild steel worksheet surface during the laser bending process. The uncoated condition is compared with the coated conditions in terms of average maximum temperature at the top surface and bend angle. The average maximum temperature at the top surface and bend angle generated in all three coating conditions are analysed for single and multi-scan laser bending. The temperature and bend angle is increased by applying graphite coating than in the uncoated condition, whereas no significant variation is observed for black spray paint, during single scan laser bending. In multi-scan laser bending the temperature is increased steadily except for the graphite coating, and insignificant variation in bend angle is observed among different coating conditions.
Keywords: Fibre laser, mild steel, coatings, graphite spray, black spray paint, laser bending, bend angle, surface temperature