StriationFormationandMeltRemovalintheLaserCutting.PDFVIP

Journal ofManufacturing PlVcesses @? Vol IINo 1 Stv1e 1999 • Striation Formation and Melt Removal in the Laser Cutting Process Kai Chen and Y. Lawrence Yao, Dept of Mechanical Engineenng, Columbia University, New York, New York Abstract t time (s) The mechanisms of melt ejection and striation formation In t time penod per oxidation cycle (s) p continuous wave laser cutting of mild steel are discussed Melt U gas velOCIty profile (m/s) ejection from the cutting front IS shown to be a cyclic phenom- enon Striation formation IS strongly affected by the oscillatory Uo streamwlse gas velOCIty (m/s) characteristic of the thin liqUid film on the cutting front dUring V Interfacial velOCIty (m/s) melt eJection, together with the oXidation and heat transfer u lIqUId velOCIty In x dIrectIOn (m/s) process Cutting speed determines whether the liquid film will v hqUId velOCIty In y dIrectIOn or cuttIng speed rupture or generate waves on the cutting front Theoretical explanations are given according to the Instability theory of a (m1s) thin liqUid film In a high-velocity gas Jet and the diffusion-con- v. fnctIon velOCIty (m/s) trolled oXidation theory Stnatlon frequency and depth are pre- W actIvatIOn energy (J) dicted according to the above theones Expenmental Investi-