Laser Machining of AISI 304: An Experimental Study of Influence of Process Parameters on Dross Height Formation

摘要

This paper presents an experimental study on influence of process parameters of laser machining of AISI 304 material on dross height formation. Laser power, cutting speed and gas pressure are process parameters which are considered during present work. Design of experiments is implemented using response surface methodology, and analysis of variance is carried out in order to find out significance and influence of process parameters for dross properties. It is identified that cutting speed acts as the most important significant parameter accompanied by laser power and gas pressure. Dross height increases with the enhancement in cutting speed and decreases with the reduction in laser power and gas pressure. Further, optimization of process parameters is also carried out to reduce dross height formation. Based on the experimental analysis, second-order mathematical model is formulated for the prediction of dross height. Model predictions and experimental results are found in reasonable agreement.