Interface friction in blanking dies, cold forging and extrusion of aluminum alloys is a major cause of inefficient process. This paper describes an investigation of femtosecond laser texturing for reduction of interface friction on sliding surfaces in forming process. Femtosecond direct writing technology was used to fabricate a laser micro-machined die and to create microgroove patterns with varying size and density on metal forming dies. A systematic approach to find the optimum parameters and computer simulation comparison of friction coefficients are provided to study the relation of friction coefficients and die profiles. In metal forming tests, the effectiveness of various laser?machined patterns for enhancing interface lubrication is determined.
