Evaluation of Nd:YAG Laser Cutting of Non-metallic Materials

Abstract

In this work, which was done in two phases, Nd: YAG Lasers were chosen to be the tool for cutting 2mm thick commercial Perspex sheets. In phase one, pulsed laser output from the YAG-50 Laser Scribing Machine was used to cut four opaque samples using different cutting speeds and different pulse repetition rates (P.R.R.), which caused different cutting depths inversely proportional to the cutting speeds, and directly proportional to the P.R.R. Also, the same laser parameters were used to cut four transparent samples, resulted in heat-affected zones (HAZ) of the samples rather than cutting. HAZ values were found to be inversely proportional to the cutting speed and directly proportional to the P.R.R. In phase two, the CW DORNIER Medilas Laser system with different powers (40 & 50 watts) were used to cut 2mm thick opaque, black, sheets at different speeds controlled by locally made speed control unit. Results showed the inverse proportionality between cutting depth and cutting speed, and direct proportionality between cutting depth and laser power. iii