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Momentum and velocity of the ablated material in laser machining of carbon fiber preforms

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Abstract

The automation in fabrication of CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics) parts demands efficient and low-cost machining technologies. In conventional cutting technologies, tool-wear and low process speeds are some of the reasons for high costs. Thus, the use of lasers is an attractive option for cutting CF-preforms. A typical effect degrading the quality in laser cutting CF-preform is a bulged cutting edge. This effect is assumed to be caused by interaction of the fibers with the ablated material, which leaves the kerf at high velocity. Hence, a method for measuring the momentum and the velocity of the vapor is presented in this article. To measure the momentum of the ablated material, the CF-preform is mounted on a precision scale while cutting it with a laser. The direction of the momentum was determined by measuring the momentum parallel and orthogonal to the CF-preform surface. A change of the direction of the momentum with different cutting-speeds is assessed at constant laser-power. Averaged velocities of the ablation products of up to 300 m/s were determined by measuring the ablated mass and the momentum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Trumpf Laser und Systemtechnik GmbH, Johann-Maus-Str. 2, 71254, Ditzingen, Germany

    P. Mucha & N. Speker

  2. Institut für Strahlwerkzeuge, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 43, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany

    R. Weber & T. Graf

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  1. P. Mucha
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  2. N. Speker
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  3. R. Weber
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  4. T. Graf
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Correspondence to P. Mucha.

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Mucha, P., Speker, N., Weber, R. et al. Momentum and velocity of the ablated material in laser machining of carbon fiber preforms. Appl. Phys. A 113, 361–366 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-013-7629-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-013-7629-z

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