*4.6.1 Sheet metal forming processes*

Incremental forming process in one of the novel approaches of forming. Its basic working techniques shown in **Figure 16** is entirely different than traditional forming processes. A Single Point Incremental Forming (SPIF) uses a small tool which deformed the sheet metal and generate the shape of the final geometry. This process is different because in the process dies are not required to generate the shape. Below following set of relevant advantages is mentioned of SPIF [29]:


**Figure 15.** *Laser deposition system.*

*A Review on Advanced Manufacturing Techniques and Their Applications DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97702*

**Figure 16.** *Single point increment forming.*

iv. The PLDM process is widely adopted metal based rapid prototyping and

The laser deposition is one of the widely used metal deposition processes. This process offers a several advantages over other conventional solid deposition techniques. The advantages such as robust deposition with more accuracy in placement of the deposited material and provide in ease of disposition for many functional materials by using its' powder form. This proposed process shown in **Figure 15** is similar in working principle to laser welding and laser cladding in which using laser beam to form a melt pool and subsequently powder injected. The powder which is injected is deposited and fused onto the substrate because of the scanning from the laser. As the whole process is driven by the laser, so by controlling its beam and travel speed part can be manufacturing very accurately and it is become easy to mange other variables of the process and material waste as well as manufacturing time reduced [28].

Incremental forming process in one of the novel approaches of forming. Its basic

ii. A CNC is responsible for tool movement: a three-axis milling machine is

iii. Process offers very high flexibility: change in part program is very easy to do

working techniques shown in **Figure 16** is entirely different than traditional forming processes. A Single Point Incremental Forming (SPIF) uses a small tool which deformed the sheet metal and generate the shape of the final geometry. This process is different because in the process dies are not required to generate the shape. Below following set of relevant advantages is mentioned of SPIF [29]:

tooling requirements.

*Computational Optimization Techniques and Applications*

**4.6 Transformative manufacturing process**

i. Process does not have any setup cost.

sufficient for the requirement.

*4.6.1 Sheet metal forming processes*

**Figure 15.**

**106**

*Laser deposition system.*

*4.5.2 Deposition of melted material*


Some of the limitation of the product is listed below:


Incremented forming with die can be implied for specific requirement that is very hard to deformed by AISF. As one can see in the **Figure 17**, process has combination of two action AISF and SF. In result this process provides more uniform distribution of thickness. In both process stage AISF and SF induce same thickness across the sheet. After as per requirement less thinning can be generated by SF. If there is any pocket in the geometry it will help to form accordingly as material would be available to fill the pocket [30, 31].

#### *4.6.2 Laser heat treatment and sheet metal forming*

It is evident that the laser beam is provide a heat energy to change the microstructure and mechanical properties of the material, which result in ease of metal forming process. In the process shown in **Figure 18** a laser is utilized to heat sheet metal which eventually increasing the formability of the sheet and allows more effectiveness in single point incremental forming process SPIF. A laser beam is passed in front of the forming tool to heat the metal and to assist the forming process. A deep drawing process with laser assistance has been investigated. Prior to the deep drawing process energy of laser beam is used to heat the material locally, which allows the
