CO2 laser cutting of reinforced polyester (CGFRP and GFRP) sheets: An experimental investigation into specific point energy, cutting volume efficiency and material removal rate (MRR)

Abstract

An experimental investigation into the specific point energy (ESP), cutting volume efficiency (αVol) and material removal rate (MRR) in laser cutting of two different polyester composites (carbon-glass fibre and glass fibre reinforced polyester) has been presented and then the results have been compared in this paper. CGFRP and GFRP sheets with variety of thicknesses were cut with individual laser machines and using different combinations of cutting parameters (power and maximum cutting speed). In this research, a novel comparison has been introduced with using factors such as specific point energy (ESP), material removal rate (MRR) and cutting volume efficiency (αVol), when different materials are cut with different lasers. Results from the systematic variation of individual parameters, as well as the effects of simultaneously changing more than one cutting parameter, can be explained in terms of specific point energy (ESP), material removal rate (MRR) and cutting volume efficiency (αVol). Although two different CO2 laser machines were individually used to cut the materials employed in this experiment, the results to an acceptable extent illustrate a same trend. The results indicate that the cutting volume efficiency (αVol) generally decreases with increasing sheet thickness. The specific point energy (ESP) seems to have a role in laser cutting. The cutting volume efficiency decreases with increasing specific point energy. For a given power density, the material removal rate (MRR) increases with decreasing sheet thickness as well as reducing specific point energy (ESP). With using a given range of specific point energy (ESP), a thickness can be cut in different ranges of MRR.