A study of cutting force and preheating-temperature prediction for laser-assisted milling of Inconel 718 and AISI 1045 steel

Laser-assisted machining involves machining a workpiece after softening it with laser-emitted heat. Compared with conventional machining, laser assisted milling is a green manufacturing method, because it saves energy by reducing the cutting force. This paper examines cutting force and preheating temperature prediction for laser-assisted milling. Inconel 718 and AISI 1045 steel are employed in the experiments. The absorptivity of Inconel 718 was determined by conducting preheating experiments using a high power diode laser. Equations for determining cutting force and preheating temperature in laser-assisted milling are proposed using statistical analysis and regression analysis. The proposed equations are verified experimentally under a wide range of machining conditions. The cutting force and preheating temperature are measured using a tool dynamometer and a pyrometer, respectively. The results of this study can be applied to similar type of thermally assisted machining.