In-situ heat treatment system for die steels using YAG laser with a machining center

We propose a laser heat treatment system for die steels using a YAG laser o n the machine tool table. Optical fiber is used to transmit the laser light from a source to the machine tool table in this system, which makes it pos sible to perform the cutting processes, the heat treatment and the grinding processes with a machining center. In the present report, the experiments of laser heat treatment were done in order to research suitable die steels for this system. Additionally, the temperatures based on a theoretical mode l were investigated during the laser irradiation. As a result, it is clear that the martensite start temperature (Ms point) of materials is an importa nt factor to estimate the application of this heat treatment. (C) 2001 Else vier Science Inc. All rights reserved.