The present study discusses cw CO2-laser cutting of wire-wound resisto
rs. Based on the three-dimensional mathematical model developed, we co
mputed the evolution of the temperature field in the sample and the ph
ase change, as functions of the laser beam power and processing speed.
The temperature dependence of the thermophysical coefficients and the
dependence of light-absorption coefficient on the laser beam angle on
incidence are taken into account. Experimental results are presented
for the minimum laser power that provides cutting of the sample at dif
ferent speeds. A reasonable agreement between the experimental and the
oretical results is found. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.