1. Laser cutting of small diameter holes in different metallic materials
G.D. Chioibasu, C. Viespe
National Institute of Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Magurele-Bucharest, Romania
Methods
Introduction
Aluminum sample
This paper experimentally investigates the laser cutting of small diameter holes made by a continuous solid state laser Yb: YAG, with power up to 3 kW, TruDisk 3001, connected to a precision machine for laser processing of materials, TruLaser Cell The effect of processing parameters such as laser power, the laser spot diameter, the cutting speed and the assisting gas pressure was evaluated. These types of holes were processed on different types of metallic materials such as aluminum and carbon - steel.
Steel - carbon sample
Experimental setting
TruLaser Cell During the processing
2D and 3D laser system
Axis travel paths: X-axis 1000 mm
Y-axis mm
Z-axis mm
B-axis ±135⁰
C-axis 360⁰
Maximum speed - 50 m/min
Accuracy - 15 µm
T= 𝑫 𝒎𝒂𝒙 − 𝑫 𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝒕 ,
t – sheet thickness
t = 1 mm
Results
Aluminum sheet
Carbon - steel sheet
For aluminum sheet, after the microscopic analysis, it was noticed that the best results were obtained using 600 W laser power and gas pressure 16 bar.
For carbon – steel sheet, after the microscopic analysis, it was noticed that the best results were obtained using 700 W laser power and gas pressure 10 bar.
The diameters of the holes – Entrance laser
The diameters of the holes-
Exit laser
The diameters of the holes - Entrance laser
The diameters of the holes-
Exit laser
Exit laser
Entrance laser
Entrance laser
Exit laser
Conclusion
The holes taper performed on aluminum sheet, decreases as the laser power increases;
The holes taper performed on aluminum sheet, decreases as the gas pressure (industrial nitrogen) increases;
The holes taper performed on a carbon steel sheet, increases as the laser power increases;
The holes taper performed on a carbon steel sheet, increases as the gas pressure (industrial nitrogen) increases;
This work was supported by a grant by the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, CNCS – UEFISCDI, project LAPLAS 4 PN