Publication: Kerf width analysis of co2 laser cutting of 304-stainless steel
Date
2008-04-01
Authors
Chan, Hwa Young
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Abstract
This experiment is conducted to analyze kerf width variation of CO2 laser cutting of 304-Stainless Steel. 4 plates (200 mm x 100 mm) of 304-Stainless Steel are cut prepared. In this experiment, feed rate, power and gas pressure are selected as the input process parameters. Outputs of this project are kerf width, surface roughness and area of heat affected zone (HAZ). Different feed rate, power and gas pressure affects the outputs of this project. In my section, I was incharged of kerf width analysis CO2 laser cutting of 304-stainless steel. Main objective of this project is to observe the changes of kerf width at the cut samples of stainless steel plate. Kerf width is measured by using Vertical Beam Optical Comparator. ANOVA is used to determine which parameters that affect the size of the kerf width significantly. Based on the results, power is the most significant factor in kerf width variation. Cutting speed and gas pressure plays a minor role in kerf width variation. Percentages of contribution for power, cutting speed gas pressure are 67.78%. 17.46% and 7.75%. Taguchi method is used to determine the "optimum settings" of laser cutting (best kerf width) control parameters, based on "Orthogonal Array" experiments (Refer to Appendix C). Top, bottom and average kerf width are investigated in the same way. The optimum settings are laser power 2000 W. cutting speed 1500 mm/min and gas pressure 15 bars.