Effect of multi-step laser shocking on forming behaviors of metal sheet shaped into a deep conical cup

This paper presents the method to shape a deep conical cup with multi-step laser shocking forming. Finite element method was employed to simulate the process of three-step laser shocking forming (TSLSF), and the process of sheet deformation at each step was analyzed. Especially, sheet deformation behaviors including deforming velocity, strain, residual stress, and geometrical shape were discussed in detail. The sheet-forming experiments were carried out to validate the simulation results. The numerical predictions of the deformed sheet shape in each step were compared and discussed with the corresponding experimental forming values. The experimental results display that three geometrical cups have been fabricated by TSLSF. The experimental results are well accordance with the corresponding numerical predicted data, which validates the established prediction model of sheet forming. It also indicates that MSLSF is a feasible forming process when the flat sheet needs to be formed into a deep-depth workpiece.