Study of size effects by laser-assisted micro forming

Abstract

The use of metal forming technologies on metallic micro parts is limited by problems arising from size effects related to small dimensions. This study is on the development of a new, laser-assisted, micro forming technique for stainless steel in which UV-laser-structured sapphire tools are used as forming moulds. To enable the micro forming process, a localized area of the workpiece is heated through the transparent tools using a laser beam (λ = 809 nm). The key aspects of the presented research are the influence of scaling effects due to miniaturization on both, the tool structure and the work piece. The advantages and disadvantages of several strategies are discussed.The use of metal forming technologies on metallic micro parts is limited by problems arising from size effects related to small dimensions. This study is on the development of a new, laser-assisted, micro forming technique for stainless steel in which UV-laser-structured sapphire tools are used as forming moulds. To enable the micro forming process, a localized area of the workpiece is heated through the transparent tools using a laser beam (λ = 809 nm). The key aspects of the presented research are the influence of scaling effects due to miniaturization on both, the tool structure and the work piece. The advantages and disadvantages of several strategies are discussed.