Any solid material which can be melted without decomposition can be cut with the laser beam machining. To remove material from metallic or non-metallic surfaces, this process uses thermal energy. The high frequency of monochromatic light will fall on the surface and the material will be heated, melted and vaporized due to the impression of photons.
In this article, you can check it out some information on the advantages and disadvantages of laser beam machining to know more about it.
In this article, you can check it out some information on the advantages and disadvantages of laser beam machining to know more about it.
Advantages of laser beam machining :
- No direct contact between tool and workpiece.
- No tool wear.
- Soft materials like rubber and plastics can be machined.
- Extremely small holes can also be machined.
- Machining of any material and also nonmetal is possible.
- Heat affected zone is small because of the collimated beam.
- Welding of dissimilar metal can also be performed efficiently.
- Any environment can be suitable for performing this process through transparent and magnetic fields.
- Drilling and cutting of areas not readily accessible are possible.
Disadvantages of laser beam machining :
- One of the main disadvantages of that is it cannot be used to cut metals that have high heat conductivity or high reflectivity.
- Overall efficiency is extremely low.
- The process is limited to a thin sheet.
- Very low material removal rate.
- The machined hole is not round and straight.
- Cost is high.
- Output energy from LASER is difficult to control precisely.
- The laser system is quite troublesome since the life of the flash lamp is short.
- Too deep holes are not possible to drill.
- While machining some plastic bum or char is noticed.
- Experienced and skilled operators are required.
- Rate of production is low.