INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF PROCESS PARAMETERS ON MACHINING PERFORMANCE IN LASER CUTTING OF 3D-PRINTED PLA

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 9 - 20, 30.04.2025

Oğuzhan Der , Gökhan Başar

https://doi.org/10.46519/ij3dptdi.1581618

Abstract

In the current research, the influences of process parameters on surface roughness and kerf width in CO₂ laser cutting of PLA plates produced by the fused filament fabrication method were experimentally investigated. Laser cutting was performed using three plate thicknesses (2, 3, and 4 mm), three cutting speeds (3, 6, and 9 mm/s), and three laser power levels (90, 95, and 100 W). Surface roughness was determined with a surface roughness tester, and kerf widths were evaluated using a digital microscope. The findings indicate that higher cutting speeds and lower laser power lead to a reduction in both surface roughness and kerf width. Higher cutting speeds combined with lower laser power decreased the thermal effect during cutting by reducing the interaction between the laser and material, resulting in lower surface roughness and narrower kerf width. The effect of plate thickness on surface roughness and kerf width was complex, varying with cutting speed and laser power. The lowest surface roughness (0.951 µm) and kerf width (0.793 mm) values were achieved with a plate thickness of 3 mm, a cutting speed of 9 mm/s, and a laser power of 90 W. This study provides valuable insights into how laser cutting parameters affect the surface quality and dimensional accuracy of PLA plates, contributing to quality improvements in industrial applications. The results highlight the essential influence of cutting speed and laser power on managing surface roughness and kerf width, thus aiding in optimizing the process.

Keywords

Laser cutting, Fused filament fabrication, PLA, Surface roughness, Kerf width.

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