Determination of Optimum Parameters Effect on Kerf Width of 316L Stainless Steel Tube in Nd:YAG Laser Cutting

The effects of following four factors, which are laser power, assist gas pressure, cooling rate and scanning speed on the quality characteristics of laser cut 316L stainless steel tubes have been studied. 24 full factorial design and central composite design were used to evaluate optimum condition of process parameters. Regression analysis was used to develop empirical models for the combined effects of the independent process parameters on laser cut quality. As the results, it was observed that laser power, assist gas pressure and scanning speeds did the major effects on kerf width. The smallest kerf width was obtained with the condition of low laser power, assist gas pressure, scanning speed and moderate cooling rate. Calculated regression model was kerf width = 64.47 + 0.91W + 1.25P + 0.41S + 0.41C2 - 0.45P2