Capability Enhancing of CO2 Laser Cutting for PMMA Sheet Using Statistical Modeling and Optimization
Source abstract
Abstract
Laser cutting is a widely used manufacturing process, and the quality of the resulting cuts plays a crucial role in its success. This research employed the Design of Experiments (DOE) to investigate the impact of input process parameters on kerf quality during the laser cutting of 5 mm polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) sheets. Response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to model the relationship between the input parameters and the kerf quality, with regression equations developed for each response using the Design Expert software. A statistical analysis revealed the significant effects of high laser power, cutting speed, and focal plane position on kerf quality. Optimization, guided by the desirability function, identified optimal parameter combinations that offered the most favorable tradeoff among various responses. Optimal conditions were found to involve a high laser power, a cutting speed ranging from 4 to 7 mm/s, and a focal plane position at the center. Experiments indicated the suitability of the models for practical applications. An overlay plot analysis revealed a weak negative correlation between the laser power and the cutting speed, while the focal plane’s position could be adjusted independently.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Manufacturing Process and Optimization · Laser Material Processing Techniques · Additive Manufacturing Materials and Processes
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, University of Northampton, Northampton NN1 5PH, UK
CIEFMA, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, UPC, C/Eduard Maristany, 16, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona Research Center in Multiscale Science and Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-Barcelona TECH, UPC, C/Eduard Maristany, 16, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
Department of Mechanical Engineering, École de Technologie Supérieure, 1100 Notre-Dame West, Montreal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada
Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Automotive Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Computing, Coventry University, Gulson Road, Coventry CV1 2JH, UK
Funding
AGAUR Fellowship
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