Investigation into the effects of process parameters on bending angle in the laser bending of tailor machined blanks based on a statistical analysis

In this paper, the effects of process parameters on bending angle in laser bending of tailor machined blanks are investigated experimentally. The Taguchi experimental design method is employed to study various parameters, which significantly affect the bending angle in the laser bending of tailor machined blanks. The start point of scan path, irradiating method, laser output power, beam diameter, and number of radiation passes are considered in the evaluations. A L18(21×34) Taguchi standard orthogonal array is chosen for the design of experiments. The level of importance of the process parameters on the bending angle is determined by using analysis of variance. The optimum process parameters combination is obtained by using the analysis of signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios. The variation of bending angle with process parameters is mathematically modeled by using the regression analysis method and a closed form equation is derived. The results show irradiating method, laser output power, beam diameter, number of radiation passes, and start point of scan path have the most importance effects on bending angle, respectively. It is concluded from results that irradiating method has the most important effect on bending angle. After irradiating method, laser output power, beam diameter, number of radiation passes, and start point of scan path have the most important effects on bending angle, respectively. Therefore, selecting a suitable irradiating method can noticeably improve the bending angle in the laser bending of tailor machined blanks.