Product Code: ICA10_703

The Numerical Studies of the Laser Processing Parameters on Copper and Aluminum during Laser Cutting
Authors:
DONGKYOUNG LEE, Center for Laser Aided Intelligen Manufacturing, University of Michigan; Ann Arbor MI USA
Jyotirmoy Mzaumder, Center for Laser Aided Intelligen Manufacturing, University of Michigan; Ann Arbor MI USA
Presented at ICALEO 2010

Laser beam power and scanning speed are two of the most important factors affecting the behavior of a melt pool and deep penetration hole. The quality of laser cutting, thus, is highly influenced by the operating laser parameters. To satisfy cutting edge quality, the University of Michigan and Franhofer Institute are collaborating on the development of remote laser cutting of electrodes using single mode fiber lasers. Thus, we studied a numerical simulation to provide a guideline for achieving the clear edge quality. In order to simulate laser cutting of a Li-Ion battery, understanding the core materials is crucial. Thus, this study focuses on pure copper and aluminum. The numerical studies have been done with a mathematical laser-material interaction model, including multiple physical phenomena such as multiple reflections, capillary and thermo-capillary forces, recoil pressure, and phase changes to investigate the threshold of laser cutting. Observations of laser-material interaction during pure copper and aluminum laser cutting processes are described in terms of penetration time, depth, width, and threshold.