IMPROVING LASER CUTTING QUALITY FOR 2-DIMENSIONAL CONTOURED PATHS

Quality improvements in laser cutting of mild steel have been achieved by a newly developed model-based optimization strategy and its applic ation to one-dimensional cut has been reported early. The specific aim s of this paper are to assure quality of cut when cornering and genera ting small diameter holes. Such routines encompass a large proportion of all features processed on laser cutting systems, and therefore thei r successful production is significant. Currently, extensive trial-and -error based experimentation is needed in order to improve quality for these routines. Thus model-based optimization has the benefit of redu cing this time-exhaustive step whilst leading to an optimal solution. Nonlinear power adaptation profiles are generated via the optimization strategy in order to stabilize cutting front temperatures. Uniform te mperatures produce better quality by reducing (i) kerf widening effect s, (ii) heat-affected zone extents, and (iii) workpiece self-burning e ffects. Experimental results are presented, and it is demonstrated tha t such process manipulation can produce significant quality improvemen ts. In addition, predicted heat-affected zones correlate closely to th ose actually obtained. The process manipulation is successfully implem ented in art industrial laser cutting system under laboratory conditio n.