Effect of Process Parameters on Bend Angle during Underwater Laser Bending of SS304 Sheet

Laser bending has gained significant attention in recent years due to its advantages in accuracy, processing time, controllability, flexibility, and the ability to fabricate complex shapes. However, its application in underwater environments remains relatively unexplored. This research article presents an experimental analysis of underwater laser bending on stainless-steel sheets, focusing on the impact of different process parameters such as laser power, scanning speed, beam diameter, and water height above the worksheet surface. The bend angle found to be increased with laser power and reduced with the increasing in water height. The scanning speed and beam diameter initially increased the bend angle and started reducing after getting a peak. A significant bend angle of upto 14 degrees is achieved in the underwater condition. This study provides valuable insights into the underwater laser bending process and its sensitivity to different process conditions. The findings contribute to the understanding of the bending behavior of submerged stainless-steel sheets. Further research in this area holds great potential for advancing the capabilities of laser bending in underwater environments and expanding its range of applications in diverse industries.