Optimization of circular scan path to produce bowl shapes in 3D laser forming process

In a three-dimensional laser forming process, laser scan path and scan path parameters are crucial to produce desired shapes. In this manuscript, the optimized perimeter laser scan pattern which results in bowl shapes is presented. Several circular scan paths in circular AISI 304 sheets are considered to produce bowl shapes. Scan path parameters are as follows: (1) continuity or discontinuity of the path; (2) the start point of the path; and (3) the direction of the scan path in each step, including clockwise (CW) and counter clockwise (CCW). Thus, three different continuous circular scan patterns consist of the CW or CCW path with a similar angular location, mixed CW and CCW paths with different start points and the CW or CCW scan paths with different start points are investigated. Besides, two discontinuous circular paths, including the same CW or CCW direction, and mixed CW and CCW directions are studied. Comparison between different proposed scan patterns is carried out based on three criteria considered, that is, the average height of the perimeter points, the edge distortion, and the standard deviation of the final product. The results show that the continuous CW or CCW scan path with different start points is the optimized circular scan pattern. In addition, further experimentations using the presented results in this manuscript illustrate the continuous circular path with the same scan direction and a 90° angular step leads to optimum desired bowl shapes.