Optimization of Laser Beam Cutting Parameters for Mild Steel

Now a day to cut metallic or nonmetallic sheets and plates, laser cutting process which is one of the advance processes is widely used. As laser cutting is non-contact process, there is no involvement of mechanical cutting forces and tool wear. Compared to other nontraditional cutting methods such as abrasive water jet cutting, plasma cutting etc. , laser cutting process can cut surfaces and edges with highest precision and accuracy. This paper presents method of optimization for LBC process with mild steel material. Here in this study optimization was carried out to minimize surface roughness (SR) and improve material removal rate (MRR). Input parameters considered were nozzle dia. , gas pressure, cutting speed and cutting power. By using Taguchi L18 array, experiments were conducted. To find out optimum setting of input parameter as well as to determine most significant parameter, S/N ratio technique and ANOVA technique was used respectively.