Simultaneous optimization of multiple quality characteristics in laser cutting of titanium alloy sheet

Titanium and its alloys have high demand in different industries due to their superior properties. The conventional cutting methods face difficulties for cutting these alloys due to their poor thermal conductivity, low elastic modulus and high chemical affinity at elevated temperatures. Laser cutting may be used for quality cuts by proper control of different process parameters. The aim of present research is to simultaneously optimize kerf taper and surface roughness in the laser cutting of Titanium alloy sheet (grade 5). The developed regression models for kerf taper and surface roughness have been taken as objective functions for the genetic algorithm based multi-objective optimization. The paper presents optimal solutions and improvements in different quality characteristics thereof. The significant control factors have been found with further discussion of their effect on two important quality characteristics kerf taper and surface roughness.

► Ti alloys are difficult-to-cut materials.
► Kerf taper and surface roughness are important performances in laser cutting.
► Hybrid DOE-GA approach has optimized multiple quality characteristics.