Applications of Optical Path Length Compensation Technology for High Power CO₂ Laser Cutting Process

Abstract:

High powerCO₂(Carbon Dioxide,CO₂) laser cutting process not only attention to the type of material selected, the focus position of the laser beam and spot size (beam size) also plays an important role. In this paper, metal materials cutting through the wavelength of 10.6μm,CO₂ laser with the optical path length compensation techniquewith output power 4000W. We compare different focus position and spot size for processing quality to discussing the use of a constant optical path length system to maintain the stability of the cross-section of the metal material after laser cutting.Optical path length compensation is used with ABCD Law in metal (steel) laser cutting processing an indispensable technology.Finally, we verify that the cross-section of the optical path length compensation under laser cutting in different processing location, thicknessof 16 mmsteel with laser power 4000W, and cutting speed 0.9 m/minconditions observed area 3*1.5 m²workingstagefor optical path length of 7, 8.5, 10 and 11.5 m,the steel ofcross-section appearance almost identical.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 939)
• Pages: 177-185
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.939.177
• Online since: May 2014
• Authors: Zhao Chi Chen*, Liang Ju Pan
• Keywords: ABCD Law, CO₂ Laser, Focus Position, Optical Path Length Compensation

References

[1] Reference to a chapter in an edited book: BOC Member of the Linde Group, Laser cutting LASERLINE Technical.

[2] Information on http: /en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Ray_transfer_matrix_analysis.

[3] Rüdiger Paschotta., Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology, RP photonics, ABCD law.

[4] P. A. Bélanger, Beam propagation and the ABCD ray matrices, Optics Letters, Vol. 16, Issue 4, pp.196-198, (1991).

DOI: 10.1364/ol.16.000196

[5] Binghua Su, Junwen Xue, Lu Sun, Huiyuan Zhao, Xuedan Pei, Generalised ABCD matrix treatment for laser resonators and beam propagation, Optics & Laser Technology, Vol. 43, Issue 7, pp.1318-1320, (2011).

DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2011.03.031

[6] Xi Luo, Ying Wang, Peifeng Chen, Le Zhou, Investigation of CO2 laser beam modulation by rotating polygon, Optics and Lasers in Engineering, Vol. 49, Issue 1, pp.132-136, (2011).

DOI: 10.1016/j.optlaseng.2010.08.006

[7] Reference to a chapter in an edited book: Taiwan Laser, Taiwan Laser Application DevelopmentAssociation, Vol. 1, pp.29-34, (2009).

[8] Reference to a chapter in an edited book: Taiwan Laser, Taiwan Laser Application Development Association, Vol. 2, pp.11-16, (2009).

[9] Reference to a book: 金岡優, 雷射加工, 新武機械貿易(股)有限公司, (2007).

[10] B. Tirumala Rao, M.O. lttoop, L.M. Kukreja, A power ramped pulsed mode laser piercing technique for improved CO2 laser profile cutting, Optics and Lasers in Engineering, Vol. 47, Issue 11, pp.1108-1116, (2009).

DOI: 10.1016/j.optlaseng.2009.07.003

[11] J Wang, W.C. K Wong, CO2 laser cutting of metallic coated sheet steels, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 95, Issues 1-3, pp.164-168, (1999).

DOI: 10.1016/s0924-0136(99)00276-9

[12] A. Lamikiz, L.N. López de Lacalle, J.A. Sánchez, D. del Pozo, J.M. Etayo, J.M. López, CO2 laser cutting of advanced high strength steels (AHSS), Applied Surface Science, Vol. 242, Issues 3-4, pp.362-368, (2005).

DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2004.08.039

[13] Norikazu Tabata, Shigenori Yagi, Masao Hishii, Present and future of lasers for fine cutting of metal plate, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 62, Issue 4, pp.209-314, (1996).

DOI: 10.1016/s0924-0136(96)02426-0