Current Progresses of Laser Assisted Machining of Aerospace Materials for Enhancing Tool Life

Abstract

A higher strength and heat resistance are increasingly demanded from the advanced engineering materials with high temperature applications in the aerospace industry. These properties make machining these materials very difficult because of the high cutting forces, cutting temperature and short tool life present. Laser assisted machining uses a laser beam to heat and soften the workpiece locally in front of the cutting tool. The temperature rise at the shear zone reduces the yield strength and work hardening of the workpiece, which make the plastic deformation of the hard-to-machine materials easier during machining. The state-of-the-art, benefits and challenges in laser assisted machining of metallic materials are summarized in this paper, and the improvement of tool life is discussed in relation to laser power, beam position and machining process parameters.