Modeling and optimization of laser bending parameters via response surface methodology

The existence of various variables in the laser forming process brings about the implementation of two important issues of modeling and optimization to more precisely predict bending angle so as to achieve desirable conditions. In this paper, the effect of independent process parameters such as laser power, beam diameter, scan speed, sheet thickness and also the heating position on the resulted bending angle from the sheet free edge was investigated through experimentation. The results indicate different influence of parameters on the angle. Also, using response surface methodology and after conducting analysis of variance, an efficient second-order mathematical model was fit to bending angle. Consequently, with the aim of making bending angle robust in relation to possible parametric fluctuations in the process, a simultaneous optimization was carried out by use of propagation of error approach and optimal parametric combination to reach the maximum value of the angle.