EXPERIMENTAL DETERMINATION OF EFFICIENT PROCESSING PARAMETERS AND ANALYTICAL MODELING OF LOW-CARBON STEEL LASER CUTTING WITH A12 KW FIBER LASER

Abstract

The paper presents the results of an experimental study of gas-assisted laser cutting of low-carbon steels using a high-power 12 kW fiber laser in an oxygen environment. The research was carried out on sheet steel of various thicknesses using full factorial experimental planning methods. The relationships between the optimal laser power and the maximum cutting speed as functions of material thickness were determined. Based on the experimental data, analytical approximation dependencies were obtained and a generalized technological model describing the cutting process was proposed. The model links cutting speed with laser power and sheet thickness and demonstrates good agreement with experimental results. In addition, an energy analysis of the process was performed, showing a significant increase in energy efficiency with increasing material thickness due to the contribution of exothermic oxidation and improved heat localization in the cutting channel. The obtained results can be used to predict efficient technological parameters for industrial laser cutting of low-carbon steels.