A study on micro hydroforming using shock wave of 355 nm UV-pulsed laser

Abstract

In this paper, we proposed a new manufacturing technology of micro hydroforming using 355nm ultraviolet(UV)-pulsed laser. Hydroforming is known as a well-established technology to manufacture metallic parts, in particular for mass production of sheet metal, for several industrial applications such as automobiles, battery and military products. In addition laser shock processing(LSP) has been developed as the expanded applications of electrical and mechatronic devices. When the material was exposed to laser beam, multiple phenomena like the photochemical, the photothermal and the photomechanical effect are simultaneously occurred at the spot area. Especially, the photothermal effect due to laser heat transfer makes it hard to improve the accuracy of laser processing. To reduce the thermal effect and to enhance the photomechanical effect, the laser was irradiated under water in this paper. Strong forming pressure of LSP was provided by the higher density of water than air, which could help directly manufacture the thin sheet metal materials like as laser direct writing. We also conducted computer simulation using finite element method(FEM) to demonstrate its deformation behaviour with and without the strain rate effect of 104–105 (sec−1). Compared with conventional processing technology, this new method can provide high selectivity, excellent hydroforming efficiency and lower cost to achieve micro grooving pattern on the surface of thin metal sheet.