Laser-Assisted Incremental Sheet Forming of High Temperature Alloys

Incremental sheet forming ISF generally refers to a die-less forming process which can be used to form complex shapes using simple tools. The process has received increasing attention due to its high flexibility and low cost. However, the process suffers from large elastic springback resulting from the die-less nature of the process. Low yield strength and low strain hardening coefficient are important properties for reducing process forces and springback. As such, forming high strength materials such as Nickel and Titanium alloys is very challenging. The aim of this project is to utilise a dynamic localised heat input by means of laser beam in a bespoke SPIF system to deform thin sheets of IN718 or Ti6Al4V alloys. The effect of process parameters on geometrical accuracy, microstructure development and mechanical properties will be experimentally investigated. Finite element models that allow understanding and prediction of the deformation behaviour will be developed.