A study of laser beam cutting phenomena by using a high-speed photography

Abstract

A high speed photography technique was demonstrated in order to explore transient laser beam cutting phenomena. Dynamic cutting kerf production during a CO₂ laser irradiation on soft steel and stainless steel sheets are imaged using a fix velocity cine moving picture camera. Such observation suggested that a detail analysis of the relations between laser induced plume contour and fusion zone should be required for the improved processing quality.