Optimization of kerf quality during pulsed laser cutting of aluminium alloy sheet

In laser beam cutting (LBC) process, the cut quality is of great importance. The quality of laser cut kerf mainly depends on appropriate selection of process parameters. Uniform kerf with minimum kerf width is of today's demand. It has been found that the kerf width during LBC is not uniform along the length of cut and the unevenness is more in case of pulsed mode of LBC. Till date, no experimental study has been done for kerf unevenness or kerf deviation along the length of cut. In present paper, two kerf qualities such as kerf deviation and kerf width have been optimized simultaneously using Taguchi quality loss function during pulsed Nd:YAG laser beam cutting of aluminium alloy sheet (0.9 mm-thick) which is very difficult to cut material by LBC process. A considerable improvement in kerf quality has been achieved.