Theoretical analysis of laser beam cutting

The manufacturing technology of laser cutting is described in a comprehensive manner, aiming at the physical aspects of the process. By the aid of a process model the physical consequences of parameter variations are discussed with respect to performance and cut quality in applications. After an introduction to the technology, laser cutting systems are explained and their different types compared. From the laser cutting system all process parameters can be identified as they are crucial to the understanding of the process behavior. Subsequently, the physical mechanisms of the laser cutting process are explained. Each fundamental mechanism like absorption, heat conduction or gas jet evolution is briefly presented and modeled in an isolated manner followed by a description of its role in the complex overall laser cutting process. A mathematical model supports the description of the mechanisms. Based on experimental results explained by the mathematical model the influence of the process parameters like cutting speed, beam or nozzle parameters is discussed. This is crucial for proper application of the technology. The influence of the materials is separately presented with respect to the cut surface quality and the achievable cutting speed. Economic aspects mainly focus on costs and on comparison to competing cutting techniques.