9.09 - Thermal Modeling of Laser Machining Process

Abstract

Lasers have been known about since the 1950s, and their ability and robustness have captured many fields and applications. Materials processing is one of the primary areas in which lasers are booming, especially for lathing, cutting, drilling, scribing, etc. Though the process is capable of performing almost any machining process, attaining a high degree of quality and performance becomes a challenge due to the nonlinear behavior of laser characteristics. Thermal modeling possesses a great ability to interpret the transformation of the processing condition into a legible condition without interfering with its operation. This chapter reveals the fundamentals of lasers and applications of thermal modeling, particularly in laser machining.