Ultrahigh-speed separation process using a combination of gas-supported laser ablation and laser cutting

In order to cut rotary symmetric shells with a wall thickness of 180 μm (stainless steel) and a diameter for 14 mm with regards to highest cutting quality within less than 50 ms of process time the ILT has developed a combination of laser ablation and process gas supported laser cutting. The sample is rotating with 10.000 RPM realizing a process speed of 7 m/s. The first 6 turns the process ablates roughly 0.0858 mm3 each step during an ablation process which itself is supported by process gas. The last turn describes the classic laser cutting process where the beam stiches through the material and cut in. One more turn makes the edge smoother. Different parameters have been investigated during the research such as process gas, angle between laser beam and surface, rotation speed, laser output power, nozzle work piece distance and gas pressure.