538
A. Jadhav and S. Kumar
Fig. 1 Schematic view of
laser cutting [6]
wear, heat-affected zone, vibration, and poor surface quality [2]. Laser machining
of austenitic stainless steel is economical as the laser beam can be controlled by
automation, mechanized, and incorporated into manufacturing lines [3]. It is widely
used in fabrication industries. Figure 1 shows laser cutting mechanism. Laser beam
machining is a high-heat thermal energy process where the generated thermal energy
first heats the sheet workpiece material, and then, it transforms the incontact volume
of the sheet workpiece material into liquified state that can be easily removed with
the help of assist gas pressure. Thermal energy for the process is obtained from
intense source of laser light [4]. The non-contact process of laser machining signifies that there is absence of tool storage and tool wear, less cost, very less tool setup
time, and less plastic deformation of cut surfaces [5]. During laser machining operations, kerf volume changes into liquid state and blows out with the help of assist
gas pressure. The height of dross is formed which involves metal droplets of various
sizes. It adheres at lower part of the cut. The dross height formation and its thickness
changes based on the process parameters are used. Formation of dross affects the
properties and surface finish of machined material [6]. Major process parameters
of laser machining consist of laser power, cutting speed, and pressure of gas are
used. Selecting optimum values from significant process parameters is essential to
minimize dross height formation during cutting of steels.
Some researchers have made efforts to improve cutting performance of laser
machining for stainless steel material. Tessier et al. [7] conducted experiments on
a lubricant system which is inserted between the inner part of specimen material
before and during laser machining. The dross generated due to lubricant solidifies
and is thrown out of the specimen along with the lubricant. Chen and Yo [8] used
a hybrid approach to optimize process parameters for cutting stainless steel using
pulsed fiber laser. It is investigated that dross height enhances since rise of laser
power at maximum speed of machining. During low speed, laser power has little
effect on dross formation. Kleine et al. [9] concluded that cutting speed along with
laser power are significant parameters for the improvement in dross formation for
fiber laser machining of stainless steel workpiece. Yilbas and Aleem [10] analyzed
regarding the size of fumes discharged had a analog relation with the amount of
dross height formation. Its formation depends on laser machining parameters. It was
reported that the dross height formation thickness enhances due to the rise weof the
laser output por. It reduces because of rise in assisting pressure of gas used. Salem
et al. [11] studied fiber laser cutting for thick carbon steel sheets. It is concluded
A. Jadhav and S. Kumar
Fig. 1 Schematic view of
laser cutting [6]
wear, heat-affected zone, vibration, and poor surface quality [2]. Laser machining
of austenitic stainless steel is economical as the laser beam can be controlled by
automation, mechanized, and incorporated into manufacturing lines [3]. It is widely
used in fabrication industries. Figure 1 shows laser cutting mechanism. Laser beam
machining is a high-heat thermal energy process where the generated thermal energy
first heats the sheet workpiece material, and then, it transforms the incontact volume
of the sheet workpiece material into liquified state that can be easily removed with
the help of assist gas pressure. Thermal energy for the process is obtained from
intense source of laser light [4]. The non-contact process of laser machining signifies that there is absence of tool storage and tool wear, less cost, very less tool setup
time, and less plastic deformation of cut surfaces [5]. During laser machining operations, kerf volume changes into liquid state and blows out with the help of assist
gas pressure. The height of dross is formed which involves metal droplets of various
sizes. It adheres at lower part of the cut. The dross height formation and its thickness
changes based on the process parameters are used. Formation of dross affects the
properties and surface finish of machined material [6]. Major process parameters
of laser machining consist of laser power, cutting speed, and pressure of gas are
used. Selecting optimum values from significant process parameters is essential to
minimize dross height formation during cutting of steels.
Some researchers have made efforts to improve cutting performance of laser
machining for stainless steel material. Tessier et al. [7] conducted experiments on
a lubricant system which is inserted between the inner part of specimen material
before and during laser machining. The dross generated due to lubricant solidifies
and is thrown out of the specimen along with the lubricant. Chen and Yo [8] used
a hybrid approach to optimize process parameters for cutting stainless steel using
pulsed fiber laser. It is investigated that dross height enhances since rise of laser
power at maximum speed of machining. During low speed, laser power has little
effect on dross formation. Kleine et al. [9] concluded that cutting speed along with
laser power are significant parameters for the improvement in dross formation for
fiber laser machining of stainless steel workpiece. Yilbas and Aleem [10] analyzed
regarding the size of fumes discharged had a analog relation with the amount of
dross height formation. Its formation depends on laser machining parameters. It was
reported that the dross height formation thickness enhances due to the rise weof the
laser output por. It reduces because of rise in assisting pressure of gas used. Salem
et al. [11] studied fiber laser cutting for thick carbon steel sheets. It is concluded