Analysis of Kerf Width and its Variation in CO2 Laser Cutting of Straight and Curved Cut Profiles

Geometrical characteristics of obtained kerf are important quality indicators in laser cutting. Considering that they are differently affected by a number of factors, this study is focused on the analysis of kerf width and its variation in CO2 laser cutting of straight and curved cut profiles. For the purpose of analysis and modeling of possible curvatures in considered outputs, a three-level full factorial design with replication was performed by considering severance energy and nitrogen pressure, which play a key role in the mechanisms of melting and ejection of molten material from the kerf. Based on experimental results multiple analysis were conducted including the analysis of the effects of severance energy and nitrogen pressure on kerf width and its variation on both straight and curved cut profiles. Further, by developing four prediction models and using overlay contour plots, simultaneous analyses of the kerf width and its variation were performed for both profiles and favourable cutting conditions were identified. The obtained results and observations made indicated favourable conditions for kerf width minimization and its variation, which, however, do not coincide for both cutting profiles.