Investigation of the effect of cutting parameters on the kerf width and surface quality during the laser cutting process

In this study, carbondioxide laser machine is used for cutting processes. Processing parameters are selected as 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm ve 4 mm working piece thickness, 1000 W, 1200 W, 1400 W ve 1600 W laser output power, 200 mm/min, 250 mm/min, 300 mm/min ve 350 mm/min laser cutting speed; 100 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz ve 1500 Hz laser pulse frequency. Duty 100%, gas pressure 10 kg/cm2, Focus -2, Head 7,5?, nozzle diameter 1,5 mm are constants. Nitrogen is used as assisting gas. After the cutting process, by making the measurements of kerf width, stria formation, and heat affected zone size on the pictures taken with optic microscope, the effect of processing parameters on cutting quality is investigated. As a result of the laser cutting with different parameters, at the high powers and high speeds better surfaces were obtained. With the increasing cutting speed (feed rate), the kerf width decreased. If the thickness of the cut material increases, the kerf width also increases.