The effect of selected technological parameters of laser cutting on the cut surface roughness

Abstract

The theoretical part of the paper presents some basics of the laser cutting technology and principles. The characteristics of the CO2 laser beam and the parameters entering the laser cutting process are described. The conventionally used material – S235JR steel, method of its laser cutting and the effect of process technological parameters on the cut area characteristics are presented as well. Experimental investigations were performed on samples made of the S235JR steel, with application of different laser cutting technological parameters, while observing the surface roughness Rz and Ra. Roughness results are displayed as images of the scanned cutting surface geometry and graphically for each sample, with comparison between the individual test samples. Effects of the position of the laser beam focus point, the cutting speed and assist gas pressure on the cut surface roughness are analyzed. It was concluded that the laser cutting parameters impose significant influence on the cut surface quality.