Open AccessOn multi-sensor monitoring of fiber laser fusion cutting
Author(s) -
Nikita Levichev,
Joost R. Duflou
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/1135/1/012014
Subject(s) - coaxial , laser cutting , laser , fiber laser , process (computing) , materials science , photodiode , robustness (evolution) , process window , laser power scaling , computer science , mechanical engineering , fiber , optics , engineering , optoelectronics , composite material , biochemistry , chemistry , physics , gene , operating system
Laser cutting is a well-established industrial process for sheet metal applications. However, cutting thick plates is still accompanied by problems because of the characteristic limited process parameter window. Since cutting by means of fiber lasers has become dominant, tailored solutions are required in such systems for industrial applications. The development of a robust real-time monitoring system, which adapts the process parameters according to a specific quality requirement, implies a significant step forward towards automated laser cutting and increases the process robustness and performance. In this work, a coaxial multi-sensor monitoring system is tested for fiber laser cutting of stainless steel thick plates. A high-speed camera and a photodiode sensor have been selected for this investigation. Experiments at different cutting speeds, representing primary cut quality cases, have been conducted and various features of the obtained process zone signals have been examined. Finally, the feasibility of industrial application of the developed setup for high-power fiber laser cutting is discussed, followed by several implementation recommendations.