Product Code: PIC2008_107

Effect of Laser Beam on Machining of Titanium Alloys
Authors:
Shoujin Sun, Swinburne University of Technology; Melbourne Australia
James Harris, Iris, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Cast Cooperative Research Centre, Australia ; Melbourne Australia
Yvonne Durandet, Iris, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia ; Melbourne Australia
Milan Brandt, Iris, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia ; Melbourne Australia
Presented at PICALO 2008

Laser assisted machining of titanium alloys has been investigated in comparison with conventional machining. The effects of laser beam on the cutting forces, chip formation, machined surface and tool vibration have been examined.

It is found that the cutting forces were reduced with the assistance of laser beam, the reduction of cutting forces was primarily dependent on the cutting speed, tool-beam distance and laser lens-workpiece distance. With increasing cutting speed, the chip formation transited from sharp segmented chip through continuous chip to segmented chip which is the typical chip formation in conventional machining of titanium alloys. Smoother machined surface with less stress deformation was found with laser assistance. Laser beam effectively reduced the magnitude of tool vibration up to the cutting speed of 112m/min.