Aluminium Foam Sandwich (AFS) panels have both the high stiffness and lightness of the aluminium cellular structures and the resistance of the skins that are obtained through roll-bonded aluminium alloy sheets. They can be usually manufactured with a metallurgical bonding between core and external sheets or by gluing the parts all together. The metallurgical bond sounds more reliable also if it means using different light alloys for core and skins, due to the fact that the foaming process happens in the semi-solid or even liquid state. The glued AFS panels are easier to be assembled and low-priced but the adhesive and its characteristics play a central role and it impacts definitely on final material performances. Post-processing foamed panels must be evaluated with attention in order to achieve both reliability and acceptable price. In the present paper is showed an investigation in the field of the solid state laser welding of AFS panels in a corner joint configuration, aimed at evaluating the effect of process parameters on the bead shape, with particular attention to the relative position between the laser beam and the centre line of internal or external corner. The investigation was part of a redesigning activity of a moving mechanical part of a Machine Tool. The challenge was obtaining a lighter structure with comparable performances but with an improved response to dynamic movements. AFS panels have been then considered in order to substitute dense materials panels and laser welding was evaluated as the joining technique.
AFS Laser welding in a corner joint configuration
CAMPANA, GIAMPAOLO
2014
Abstract
Aluminium Foam Sandwich (AFS) panels have both the high stiffness and lightness of the aluminium cellular structures and the resistance of the skins that are obtained through roll-bonded aluminium alloy sheets. They can be usually manufactured with a metallurgical bonding between core and external sheets or by gluing the parts all together. The metallurgical bond sounds more reliable also if it means using different light alloys for core and skins, due to the fact that the foaming process happens in the semi-solid or even liquid state. The glued AFS panels are easier to be assembled and low-priced but the adhesive and its characteristics play a central role and it impacts definitely on final material performances. Post-processing foamed panels must be evaluated with attention in order to achieve both reliability and acceptable price. In the present paper is showed an investigation in the field of the solid state laser welding of AFS panels in a corner joint configuration, aimed at evaluating the effect of process parameters on the bead shape, with particular attention to the relative position between the laser beam and the centre line of internal or external corner. The investigation was part of a redesigning activity of a moving mechanical part of a Machine Tool. The challenge was obtaining a lighter structure with comparable performances but with an improved response to dynamic movements. AFS panels have been then considered in order to substitute dense materials panels and laser welding was evaluated as the joining technique.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
