Innovative laser-assisted glass bending approaches using a near-infrared continuous wave laser

Abstract

Limited research has been conducted on laser glass bending, with only a few studies to date. In 2008, a CO2 continuous-wave (CW) laser experiment achieved a maximum bending angle of 24° for a 10 mm wide and 150 µm thick glass sheet. However, challenges persisted in bending thicker and wider glass sheets while reducing permanent material accumulation along the bending axis. In this study, we present a novel approach using a near-infrared CW laser operating at a wavelength of 1070 nm and with a maximum power of 500 W, successfully bending glass with varying thicknesses and widths. Notably, we achieved bending angles of 30°, 60°, and even 90° on soda-lime glass (550 µm thick) and borosilicate glass (1000 µm thick). By integrating an inventive laser bending configuration alongside a complementary scanning strategy, we effectively overcame the challenge of persistent material accumulation during plastic deformation along the bending axis. This advancement enabled us to directly bend 1 mm thick, 13 mm wide borosilicate glass, resulting in a minimal thickness increase of approximately 10 % at a 30-degree bending angle. Furthermore, this approach optimally utilizes laser energy, requiring less than one-third of the laser power typically utilized by existing configurations. Remarkably, we achieved an impressive expansion in the bendable glass width, reaching 25 mm, by implementing a configuration with dual-beam mix processing. This study advances the potential applicability of laser glass bending technology, increasing its possibilities for industries such as manufacturing, optics, and electronics that require curved glass applications.