Unconventional method of cutting aluminum plates using fiber laser with oxygen assist gas

Abstract

The process of cutting aluminum plates is widely used in automotive industry, especial in the last years for new electrical vehicles. Conventional method of cutting uses CO2 and fiber lasers together with nitrogen used as assist gas. This paper presents new method of cutting aluminum sheets using pulsed fiber laser in combination with oxygen instead of nitrogen. Experiments were made using different frequencies for the laser pulse in order to minimize laser dross, minimize kerf size, maximize cutting speed and maximize thickness range.