Title: Laser machining with melt removal through suction

Authors: W. Weingartner, A. Kaplan, D. Schuocker

Addresses: Department of High Power Beam Technology, TU Vienna, Arsenal Obj. 207, 1030 Vienna, Austria. ' Department of High Power Beam Technology, TU Vienna, Arsenal Obj. 207, 1030 Vienna, Austria. ' Department of High Power Beam Technology, TU Vienna, Arsenal Obj. 207, 1030 Vienna, Austria

Abstract: In conventional laser machining processes the melt is removed by an intense gas stream, which ejects the liquid material usually in the direction of the laser beam. A new method is described here, whereby the molten material is sucked into a bore coaxial to the beam and then taken away by a fast horizontal gas jet. The vacuum in the suction bore is obtained by fast expansion of highly compressed air. This design is then used to cut 1.25 mm mild steel under the variation of several parameters. It shows very similar results to conventional cutting processes, only the characteristic appearance of the top and bottom kerf edge being changed upside down.

Keywords: laser cutting; laser machining; melt removal; suction; gas jets; vacuum; mild steel; kerf edge.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.1996.036334

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 1996 Vol.11 No.3/4, pp.310 - 319

Published online: 02 Nov 2010 *

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