Laser blanking .005" thick spring temper 301 stainless 2

[strokersix]

I'm designing some parts with this material that need to be blanked and formed. I expect in production the blanks will be stamped. For prototypes and perhaps initial production I was thinking laser would be a great way to produce blanks. Are there any metallurgical effects I should be concerned with regarding lasered edges in a fatigue application?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[EdStainless]

The edges sure will be different. While both will have some roughness, the laser parts will be rougher and have the recast material on the edges. The stamped parts will have some additional coldwork of the edges.
If you are expecting edge initiation of fatigue cracks, the two parts will not be alike.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Corrosion, every where, all the time.
Manage it or it will manage you.

http://www.trent-tube.com/contact/Tech_Assist.cfm

 

[TVP]

strokersix,

EDM is frequently used instead of laser cutting for prototyping parts out of spring steel strip. We have used this successfully for similar applications, although the same kind of defects are present as with laser cutting-- change of microstructure near the cut edges. However, if you do not intend to perform durability testing that involves > 10,000 cycles, then this can be a method for obtaining quick prototypes.

 

[israelkk]

Chemical etching is used too.

 

[strokersix]

If lasered or edmed parts pass durability testing is it likely then that stamped parts also would pass? Additional cold work on sheared edges sounds like a favorable condition.

Would vibratory deburring or tumbling effectively remove the heat affected area from laser or edm parts?

israelk, Chemical etching would be a process similar to producing electronic circuit boards, correct?

 

[TVP]

Yes, it is likely that stamped parts would pass a durability test that laser cut or edm parts also passed. Vibratory deburring or tumbling will certainly improve parts made by any of the methods, especially fatigue life/strength. In addition to removing most or all of the HAZ, it introduces residual compressive stresses on the surface of the part, similar to shot peening, thereby improving fatigue life. Sharp edges, whether pierced by stamping or cut by a beam are always bad.

 

[NickE]

Use chemical etching for thin 301 spring temper parts. Any other method for production of prototypes is fooling you. not only the re-cast zone, but also the zone that has had the cold work of spring temper removed.

finsihing is VERY important for the life of both prototypes and stamped production parts. The cold work of stamping leaves a tesnsile residual stress on the edge. Finishing can convert this tensile stress to compressive.

for Info call Dave Crisp at this company:

http://www.destacomanufacturing.com/

 

[unclesyd]

I have to second Israelkk recommendation of using a photo chemical to produce the part. We had our best results on thin parts using this process.

Here are several companies that I have worked with.

http://www.suron.com/index.htm

http://stork.com/veco/page.html?id=4705

http://www.fotofab.com/index.html