Title: Optimisation of machining parameters in laser aided hybrid machining of Inconel 718

Authors: K. Venkatesan; R. Ramanujam

Addresses: School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT University, Vellore-632014, India ' School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT University, Vellore-632014, India

Abstract: This study focused on experimental investigation and optimisation of laser aided hybrid machining of Inconel 718 alloy. Cutting speed, feed rate and laser power are varied each at three levels and total of 27 experiments are conducted. Cutting force, surface roughness and flank wear are measured. The factor effects on each response are analysed using 3D surface plot. The developed regression model shows good degree of fit. From the analysis of variance, the feed rate and laser power are influencing parameters on the cutting force and surface roughness while cutting speed is for tool wear. The optimal process parameter setting using desirability analysis reveals a reduction of cutting force by 50%, surface roughness by 26%, flank wear by 33% and the tool life is extended up to 133% over conventional machining. The segmentation of saw tooth chip is increased which demonstrated the thermal softening effect compared to conventional machining.

Keywords: Inconel 718; machinability; laser machining parameters; optimisation; desirability function analysis; DFA; laser aided hybrid machining; cutting speed; feed rate; laser power; cutting force, surface roughness; surface quality; flank wear; analysis of variance; ANOVA; tool life; chip segmentation; saw tooth chips; thermal softening.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2016.076277

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2016 Vol.18 No.3, pp.252 - 272

Received: 22 Jul 2015
Accepted: 25 Sep 2015
Published online: 30 Apr 2016 *

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