Comparative statistical analysis of hole taper and circularity in laser percussion drilling

Abstract

The present study investigates the relationships and parameter interactions between six controllable variables on the hole taper and circularity in laser percussion drilling. Experiments have been conducted on stainless steel workpieces and a comparison was made between stainless steel and mild steel (IMechE Part B: J. Eng. Manufact. (in press)). Laser peak power, laser pulse width, pulse frequency, number of pulses, assist gas pressure and focal plane position were selected as independent process variables. The central composite design (CCD) was employed to plan the experiments in order to achieve required information with reduced number of experiments. The process performance was evaluated in terms of equivalent entrance diameter, hole taper and hole entrance circularity. The ratio of minimum to maximum Feret’s diameter was considered as circularity characteristic of the hole. The models of these three process characteristics were developed by linear multiple regression technique. The initial models were computed according to the least squares procedure and were finalised by stepwise regression method. The significant coefficients were obtained by performing analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 1, 5 and 7% levels of significance. The final models were checked by complete residual analysis and finally were experimentally verified. It was found that the pulse frequency had a significant effect on the hole entrance diameter and hole circularity in drilling stainless steel unlike the drilling of mild steel where the pulse frequency had no significant effect on the hole characteristics.