Shaping of micro scale features on metallic surfaces through the high-speed impact of laser accelerated flyers

Generally speaking, the high speed forming process is suitable for the precise manufacturing of hard-to-form and high strength materials. This study conducted microscale embossing and punching experiments by establishing a forming system that uses a laser induced acceleration. The changes in the flyer velocity with the laser energy, flyer thickness, and flyer diameter were measured using a high speed camera, and the effects of the noted acceleration characteristics of flyers on processing performance were investigated. It is particularly important that in the case of punching, the advantages of high speed processing, in which the accuracy was improved by increasing the shear zone of the workpiece, were identified. Significantly in the case of embossing, it was observed that the formability improved by increasing the flyer velocity as the flyer diameter decreased. However, in the case when the flyer thickness was decreased, increased energy was consumed in the plastic deformation of the flyer, and the advantages of high speed forming could not be realized. For this reason, further research is needed to take advantage and optimize the forming process using the laser induced acceleration through experiments which are noted as considering the various process variables and materials.