Title: Experimental investigation of Nd:YAG laser micro-grooving operation of alumina workpiece using RSM

Authors: A.S. Kuar, P. Biswas, S. Mitra, R. Biswas

Addresses: Production Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, Kolkata – 700 032, India. ' Production Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, Kolkata – 700 032, India. ' Production Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, Kolkata – 700 032, India. ' MCKV Institute of Engineering, 243 G.T. Road (N), Howrah – 711204, India

Abstract: Micro-grooves of different shapes and sizes are essential in solar cells, piston linings, bearings, parts mounted on shafts and many other components. In the present research, experimental investigations of pulsed CNC Nd:YAG laser micro-grooving operation on a cylindrical shaped job sample of aluminium oxide or alumina (Al₂O₃) has been carried out. Influence of laser machining parameters on the height of recast layer (RCL) and the depth of the machined micro-grooves has been studied. Response surface methodology based optimal parametric analysis has also been performed to determine the optimal setting of process parameters such as pulse frequency and pulse width, lamp current, assist air pressure and RPM for achieving minimum RCL and the maximum depth of groove machined by pulsed Nd:YAG laser.

Keywords: laser micro-grooving; alumina; Al₂O₃; aluminium oxide; depth of groove; recast layer height; RCL; response surface methodology; RSM; laser machining; process parameters.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMSI.2008.019618

International Journal of Materials and Structural Integrity, 2008 Vol.1 No.4, pp.355 - 370

Published online: 17 Jul 2008 *

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