Abstract
This paper describes a numerical method to estimate shapes generated by pulsed YAG laser irradiation and the results for aluminum calculated by the method. Generally, it is difficult to make a close examination of the shapes machined because of various complicated phenomena and the change in thermal constants by temperature rise in laser machining; therefore, some of parameters necessary for the calculation are determined experimentally. The change in thermal constants of a workpiece by temperature rise, the characteristics of a laser beam used, the reflectivity change of a laser beam at the work piece surface, and the laser plume generation are considered in the calculation. The results of the calculation agree well with experimental results. Irradiating conditions in laser machining, therefore, are decided easily by this computer simulation.
