A Study on the Laser Tube Bending Process: Effects of the Irradiating Length and the Number of Irradiating Passes

In this paper, the laser bending process of a circular tube made of mild steel has been investigated experimentally. For this purpose, the effects of the irradiating length and the number of irradiating passes on the main bending angle of a laser bent tube are studied. In addition, the main defects of the laser tube bending process such as lateral bending angle, ovality and thickness variation are examined. Hence the effects of irradiating length and number of irradiating passes on the lateral bending angle, ovality and thickness variation of a laser bent tube are investigated. The results show that with an increase in the irradiating length, the main bending angle, the ovality percentage and the thickness variation increase and also the lateral bending angle will decrease. In addition, it is concluded that with an increase in the number of irradiating passes, main and lateral bending angles, ovality percentage and thickness variation increase.

Keywords:

Laser tube bending , Main bending angle , Lateral bending angle , Ovality , Thickness variation