Numerical simulation of the laser forming of plates using two simultaneous scans

Laser forming of metal plates offers the advantages of requiring no external forces and thus reduces cost and increases flexibility. It also enables forming of some materials and shapes that are impossible by using the traditional methods. A three-dimensional non-linear, indirectly coupled thermal–structural model for two laser beams scanning simultaneously along the two parallel lines is established in this paper. Numerical investigations are carried out to examine the difference in temperatures and plastic deformations between the two simultaneously laser scans and the single sequential scan along the same lines. Numerical results show that the plastic deformation is larger when using simultaneously laser scans if the distance between the two scanning lines is smaller than the size of plastic zone generated by a single laser scan.