Enhancing laser cutting quality of stainless steel 201 by controlling dross formation and surface roughness using multi-factor experimental design

A better process and products are thought to require characterization, evaluation of effects, and understanding of the damage extension caused by the laser cutting (LC) process on the surface integrity of the cut workpieces, given its many benefits and applications in the industry.In this work, 32-run CCD was used under response surface methodology (RSM) to examine the laser cutting of stainless steel 201 (SST 201) utilizing a 32-run experimental design.Laser power (Pu), cutting speed (V), frequency (F), focal position (FP), and gas pressure (P) are chosen as parameters for the input process, where the surface roughness and dross formation are taken into account as response variables in this process.Each parameter's relevance and impact was evaluated by a thorough statistical analysis that included Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), countor plots, main effect plots, and residual plots.The ANOVA results for surface roughness (Ra) and dross generated area (DA) are closely related since both are influenced by process parameters.While improving assist gas pressure enhances the surface quality and lowers the accumulation, increasing the laser power and cutting speed decreases both roughness and dross.