Optimisation of edge quality on stainless steel 316L using low power fibre laser beam machining

ABSTRACT

In the manufacturing industry critical importance lies upon the dimensional accuracy of a machining part especially for precision assembly operation in sheet metal cutting. But the converging diverging shape of the laser beam profile causes the existence of kerf taper in laser cut specimen. Use of low power fibre laser beam machining in the order of 50 watt makes it extremely difficult to perform good quality cut on stainless steel sheet metal. Cutting wedge angle, a relatively uncommon process variable performs a critical role for the determination of unevenness in kerf characteristic. Cutting result of kerf taper with a 50-watt fibre laser is presented in this investigation. The purpose of the investigation is to reveal the ability of the low power fibre laser to cut stainless steel AISI 316 L with 1 mm thickness. The effect of the cutting wedge angle and other process variables like power, duty cycle, pulse frequency and scanning speed has been analysed through an application of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with CCD technique. Validation of experiments on the proposed model reveals that adjustment of proper process parameters can optimise the required edge quality.

KEYWORDS:

• Laser cutting
• cutting wedge angle
• response surface methodology
• AISI 316 L stainless steel
• kerf taper

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support and assistance provided by TEQIP phase II program of Jadavpur University also CAS Ph-IV program of Production Engineering Department of Jadavpur University for extending the technical equipment facilities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.