Laser Beam Milling of Alumina Ceramics - The Impact on Material Removal Efficiency and Machined Surface Morphology

Abstract

Laser machining is one of the most widely used advanced noncontact machining processes used for creating new surfaces, structures, cavities and also complex electro-mechanical devices, usually with very small dimensions, by laser radiation. It is the process in which the material’s thermophysical properties rather than mechanical properties determine the machinability. Design of process parameters is highly critical for successful material removal and high machine surface quality. In the paper the laser beam milling is experimentally studied applying the nanosecond pulse fibre laser and alumina ceramic as working material. The influence of pulse energy, pulse repetition rate, scanning speed and tracks displacement on material removal efficiency and the quality of machined surface is reported.