OPTIMISATION OF SHEET METAL CUTTING PARAMETERS OF LASER BEAM MACHINE

This paper is about optimization of sheet metal cutting parameter of Laser Beam Machining (LBM) process parameters on surface roughness while machining Stainless Steel (SS 304). Laser Beam Machining (LBM) is a non conventional process in which material removal takes place through melting and vaporization of metal when the laser beam comes in contact with the metal surface. There are so many process parameters which affect the quality of machined surface cut by LBM. But, the laser power, cutting speed, assist gas pressure, nozzle distance, focal length, pulse frequency and pulse width are most important. However, the important performance measures in LBM are Surface Roughness (SR), Material Removal Rate (MRR), kerf width and Heat Affected Zone (HAZ). Experiments are carried out using L9 Orthogonal array by varying laser power, cutting speed and assist gas pressure for stainless steel SS 304 material.