Laser cutting of metal laminates: analysis and experimental validation

Laser cutting has been investigated for a number of aluminum±synthetic laminates, newly developed materials for the aeronautic and automotive industry. The materials consist of alternating aluminum and synthetic layers. It is shown that these materials can be cut at the same speed as homogeneous aluminum alloys, although some damage on the synthetic layers has to be accepted. Based on these experimental results, a dedicated computer simulation model has been developed. The applied cutting model is based on splitting the material in several horizontal layers, each with its own speci®c thermophysical and optical properties. The separate layers are coupled by known mass, power and force balance equations. Some hypotheses are formulated about the synthetic layer damage, which are evaluated analytically. Finally, the model results are experimentally evaluated. # 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.