EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON LASER MACHINING OF SS 304: MINIMIZING TAPER, ROUGHNESS, AND DROSS

Abstract

  Laser Beam Machining (LBM) is a widely used industrial technique for cutting a variety of materials with precision. This study focuses on optimizing the LBM process parameters for SS 304 stainless steel to minimize kerf taper, surface roughness, and dross formation. The key process parameters investigated include laser power, cutting speed, and assist gas pressure. Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), the effects of these parameters on the machining quality were analyzed. The optimal parameter settings were identified as follows: for surface roughness, a cutting speed of 3500 mm/min, gas pressure of 9 bar, and laser power of 2000 watts; for kerf taper, a cutting speed of 5500 mm/min, gas pressure of 8 bar, and laser power of 3000 watts; and for dross formation, a cutting speed of 4500 mm/min, gas pressure of 9 bar, and laser power of 2500 watts. Confirmation experiments validated these optimal settings, demonstrating a strong correlation between predicted and experimental results. This research provides valuable insights into enhancing the quality and efficiency of LBM processes for stainless steel materials..