Statistical analysis of ytterbium-doped fibre laser cutting of dry pine wood

Abstract

This paper reports a statistical analysis of the laser wood cutting process. The laser cutting of wood is a multi-factor process and correct combination of the parameters involved is needed to achieve high quality and optimum process efficiency. In this paper a design of experiments and statistical modelling approach is used to investigate the significant process parameters by consideration of parameter interactions. A high brightness, 1 kW IPG single mode ytterbium-doped fibre laser was used to cut dry pine wood samples. The investigated parameters include laser power, focal plane position, traverse speed, gas pressure, number of passes, and cutting direction. Results are compared against a number of response factors defining the process efficiency (i.e. kerf depth, mass removal, and specific energy consumption) and the cut quality (i.e. heat-affected zone, kerf width, and edge surface roughness). It is reported that the majority of these process characteristics are significantly affected by the structure of the wood under test.

Analysis of neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser and experimental prospects for cutting micro-thin black walnut veneers in industry

“…The Nd: YAG laser for cutting black walnut veneer in particular, and in general for micro-thin wood applications, is a versatile technique. The YAG solid-state laser, like Yb fiber laser, is safe and compact than gas-made lasers (Olsen and Alting 1995;Powell 1998;Hernandez et al 2007;Hernandez-Castaneda et al 2009;Hernandez-Castaneda et al 2011a;Hernandez-Castaneda et al 2011b). Besides, structurally and practically, there is no need to use noxious gases, and the machining process does not release toxic gases dangerous to users nor ecologically harmful.…”

Recast and oxide formation in laser-drilled acute holes in CMSX-4 nickel single-crystal superalloy

“…These points are usually repeated between 3 to 5 times within the parameter runs so as to stabilize the prediction variance. An insufficient number of centre runs can lead to an area of poor prediction around the central region of exploration [26]. The axial design points lie on the extreme of one or more of the design factors and correspond to coded factors þ 1 and À 1.…”

Effect of Moisture Content Levels on the Quality of Beech Wood Cut by CO2 Laser

“…Speci cally, the CO 2 laser is classi ed as a gas laser with a wavelength of 10.6 µm, showing relatively good beam quality with higher absorption of radiation at low cost compared to the Nd: YAG laser, ber laser, or disk laser [2,10,11]. Applications of wood cutting with CO 2 lasers have been discussed by authors [12,13] emphasizing the importance of con guring machine parameters for cut quality, including cutting speed, laser power, and shielding gas.…”

“…The depth of cut is shallower, and the energy consumption is greater in wet wood as compared to dry wood. This is due to the absorption of part of the energy of the laser beam by the water molecules present in wood leaving the remaining to cause pyrolysis, carbonization, and evaporation [10]. For similar moisture contents, cutting parallel to the wood bers increases the yield of the process and improves the surface quality of the sections [25].…”