This paper investigates the feasibility of using a 2kW direct diode laser source for producing high-quality cuts in a variety of materials. Cutting trials were performed in a two-stage experimental procedure. The first phase of trials was based on a one-factor-at-a-time change of process parameters aimed at exploring the process window and finding a semi-optimum set of parameters for each material/thickness combination. In the second phase, a full factorial experimental matrix was performed for each material and thickness, as a result of which, the optimum cutting parameters were identified. Characteristic values of the optimum cuts were then measured as per BS EN ISO 9013:2002.

Date Published: 1 July 2015
PDF: 10 pages
Proc. SPIE 9657, Industrial Laser Applications Symposium (ILAS 2015), 96570C (1 July 2015); doi: 10.1117/12.2179475

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9657:
Industrial Laser Applications Symposium (ILAS 2015)
Mike Green; Cath Rose, Editor(s)