Adjustment of the geometries of the cutting front and the kerf by means of beam shaping to maximize the speed of laser cutting

Abstract The shape of the laser beam used for fusion cutting significantly influences geometry both front and kerf. angle in turn impacts local absorptivity, while width kerf defines amount material, which has to be molten. kerf’s therefore determines maximum possible speed at a successful cut is feasible with given available power. kerf, can estimated from simple model considering conservation energy rough geometrical approximations. In order verify prediction model, resulting different processing conditions was observed by means online high-speed X-ray diagnostics. interaction zone recorded framerate 1000 Hz during 10-mm-thick samples stainless steel. Comparing results obtained shapes beam, it found that absorptivity increased when beam’s longitudinal cross-section (parallel feed) enlarged. Reducing transversal direction normal feed reduces cross-sectional area findings show good agreement geometric enabled hence allows reliably estimate power, sheet thicknesses.