Experimental Investigation and Analysis of Process Parameters in Laser Beam Machining of Aluminium Alloy 8011

Abstract

Laser Laser beam machining is one of the nontraditional thermal energy based non contact type machining process where material removal takes place by melting and vaporization, is used for almost whole range of engineering materials. This study involves effect of laser power, cutting speed and assisting gas pressure on surface roughness and kerf width. Aluminum alloy 8011 is one of the difficult to cut material by laser beam machine because of its reflectivity. Because of its excellent properties it is widely used in electronic, space craft, military equipments. An aluminum alloy 8011 sheet of 3 mm thickness is used as workpiece material and nitrogen gas is used as assisting gas. The design of experiment plan is created by using Response Surface Methodology and analyzed by regression method. It is found that minimum surface roughness and kerf width can be obtained simultaneously by operating nearly at higher speed, lower power and gas pressure.