Effect ofNd:YAG Laser Parameters on Cutting Quality of Ultra Low Carbon Steel Sheets using sensors systems

Abstract

Introduction

The Laser, a clean source of high energy density, has been applied to various types of materials processing. Such processes involve non equilibrium phenomena due to high heating and cooling rates induced by the laser irradiation. Hence the application of laser in material processing has not yet come out of the research stage to establish itself as a routine industrial work due to lack of understanding in correlating the laser/ process parameters in the interacted zone, applicability of the process in real components and lack of reproducibility. So in laser cutting process the optimum cutting parameters vary significantly between systems. Moreover, the number of processing variables and their complex influence on the cutting quality make the behavior of a material during laser cutting impractical. This task is further complicated by the fact that laser cutting of material is an exothermal reaction which is largely dependent on inter-related material properties such as thermal conductivity, melting point, effect of oxidation reactions, reflectivity, viscosity, specific latent heat of transformation, specific heat capacity, density, phase transformation temperature and its dimensions. Controlling the cutting parameters maintains process stability but does not lead to process optimization. By monitoring the process on-line, it can be optimized and maintained at optimal, ensuring good quality and reducing post-process checks. Additionally, it enables an increased understanding of critical process phenomena and the characterization of process behavior.

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