LASER BEAM MACHINING

:Done By

Murad
Nontraditional Manufacturing Processes

Non-traditional manufacturing processes is defined as a

group of processes that remove excess material by
various techniques involving mechanical, thermal,
electrical or chemical energy or combinations of these
energies but do not use a sharp cutting tools as it
needs to be used for traditional manufacturing
processes.
Reason for Nontraditional
 Very hard fragile
materials difficult to
clamp for traditional
machining.
 When the workpiece
is too flexible or thin.
 When the shape of the
part is too complex.
Laser Beam Machining (LBM)

Laser-beam machining is a
thermal material-removal
process that utilizes a high-
energy, coherent light beam
to melt and vaporize
particles on the surface of
metallic and non-metallic
work pieces. Lasers can be
used to cut, drill, weld and
mark. LBM is particularly
suitable for making
accurately placed holes.
Comparing to mechanical cutting

Advantages of laser cutting over mechanical cutting :

 include easier work holding and reduced contamination of work piece.

 Precision may be better since the laser beam doesn't wear during the process.

 There is also a reduced chance of warping the material that is being cut, as
laser systems have a small heat-affected zone.

 Some materials are also very difficult or impossible to cut by more traditional
means.

A disadvantage of laser cutting is: the high energy required.

Laser beam cutting (drilling)

 In drilling, energy transferred into

the workpiece melts the material at
the point of contact, which
subsequently changes into a
plasma and leaves the region.

 A gas jet (typically, oxygen) can

further facilitate this phase
transformation and departure of
material removed.

 Laser drilling should be targeted

for hard materials and hole
geometries that are difficult to
achieve with other methods.
Laser beam cutting (milling)

 A laser spot reflected on to the

surface of a workpiece travels
along a prescribed trajectory and
cuts into the material.

 Continuous-wave mode (CO2)

gas lasers are very suitable for
laser cutting providing high-
average power, yielding high
material-removal rates, and
smooth cutting surfaces.
Technology

 There is a direct correlation between

cutting rate and laser energy.

 There is a inverse relationship between

cutting rate and material thickness .
Tolerances and Surface Finish

The laser beam cutting may range 0.003175 mm

to 0.00635 mm.
Typical Work piece Materials

Depends on laser type CO2 lasers. CO2 lasers are

used for industrial cutting of many materials
including mild steel, aluminum, stainless steel,
titanium, paper, wax, plastics, wood, and fabrics.
 Effects on Work Material Properties

Work material properties

Effects of laser beam cutting

May affect hardness Mechanical

Narrow heat-affected zone

  Physical
Grain size may change

Depends on shield gas/ cutting gas. May Chemical

include oxidization or other effects
 Advantage of laser beam machining
 No limit to cutting path as the laser point can
move any path.

 The process is stress less allowing very fragile

materials to be laser cut without any support.

 Very hard and abrasive material can be cut.

 High accuracy parts can be machined.

 No cutting lubricants required.

 No tool wear.

 Narrow heat effected zone.

Disadvantage of laser beam machining
 Uneconomic on high volumes
compared to stamping.

 Limitations on thickness due to

taper.

 High capital cost.

 High maintenance cost.

 Assist or cover gas required.

Safety Factors

Personal Environmental

 Contact with hot tools and work  Smoke

pieces

 Eye contact with beam radiation  Fumes and dust

 Inhalation of toxic fumes particles
 Scattered Radiation

 Deflection from surfaces

Reverence

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