Title: AE signal measurements during laser cutting of structural steel sheet and deep-drawn parts

Authors: Tomaž Kek; Janez Grum

Addresses: Laboratory for Metals Testing and Heat Treatment, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ašker?eva 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. ' Laboratory for Metals Testing and Heat Treatment, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ašker?eva 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract: The study treated is focused on quality assessment of a laser cut on the basis of the AE signals captured with PZT sensors. The paper describes an analysis of the AE signals measured during and after laser cutting. In the course of cutting, the continuous AE signals are treated in a defined time interval. After cutting, AE bursts will occur. They are due to solidification of the molten material and cooling of the laser-cut surface. The results shown refer to cutting of steel plate DC04 that is frequently used in automobile industry, where optimisation of the cutting process is desired. Numerous laser-cutting conditions assuring different quality levels of the cut made were chosen. It was proved that the laser cutting conditions had a significant influence on the continuous and burst AE. Separately, it was also confirmed that there was a relation between the measured signal and laser-cut quality.

Keywords: acoustic emission; laser cutting; PZT sensors; dross; structural steel; deep-drawn parts; deep drawing; steel sheet; AE signal measurements.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2011.043220

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2011 Vol.6 No.3/4, pp.249 - 258

Published online: 20 Oct 2011 *

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