Analysis of the laser drilling process for pilot holes in complex shaped components

摘要

In contrast to mechanical drilling, laser drilling can be applied directly to complex surfaces. The laser holes can thereby serve as pilot holes for mechanical deep hole drilling to produce high quality bore holes. This article examines the influence of pulse power, pulse duration and focus distance on the laser drilling process for curved surfaces using a Nd:YAG-Laser for the stainless steel X2CrNiMo17-12-2 and the case hardening steel 20MnCr5. By varying the laser parameters holes were produced that met the requirements for pilot holes in terms of diameter tolerances, drilling depth, conicity and material influences to enable the process combination.