Since its introduction in 1960, laser technology has rapidly developed and has found widespread applications in various industries. As theoretical research advances and laser components improve, the applications of laser technology are expanding, bringing greater economic and social benefits.
Industries widely use laser cutting due to its narrow slit, minimal workpiece deformation, and contactless nature. It offers strong adaptability, and flexibility, and is environmentally friendly, meeting the green needs of modern manufacturing. Key parameters such as laser power, cutting speed, focus position, and gas pressure affect cutting quality and efficiency.
This paper summarizes the research status of laser cutting technology at home and abroad, and looks forward to the future development trend. Laser cutting, driven by continuous innovation, will play a key role across industries, offering more efficient, accurate, and eco-friendly solutions.
Current status of domestic research
The current status of domestic research in the field of laser cutting is mainly focused on the optimization and improvement of the steel cutting process, although there are some studies also involved in the laser cutting of non-ferrous metals, the relevant research is relatively small. The following are some of the main research results and directions:
1. Optimization of laser cutting steel plate process
Research at Hunan University’s Laser Research Institute found that key laser cutting parameters, such as focal number ratio, spot diameter, auxiliary gas pressure, and cutting speed, significantly affect cutting quality. A smaller spot diameter results in a narrower slit and lowers surface roughness, as long as the focal depth is maintained. In addition, the relationship between focal length and spot diameter affects the cutting quality.
2. Finite element analysis and deformation study
Guo Jian et al. used finite element analysis to create a 3D model for laser cutting sheet metal, studying the combined effect of the laser heat source and the sheet metal’s self-weight on deformation. This study provides an important reference for laser-cutting sheet metal fixture design.
3. Research on the process of laser cutting of copper violet plate
Liang Kun and others found that using 3kW laser power, the right defocus, and cutting speed results in better cutting quality, achieving narrower slits and good edge parallelism. They also proposed empirical formulas based on material reflectivity, laser power, and thermal conductivity to optimize cutting quality.
4 . Laser cutting depth and speed relationship
Xie Xiaozhu et al. studied the relationship between cutting depth and cutting speed when laser cutting 18mm thick die-cutting boards and found that the cutting depth is inversely proportional to the cutting speed and that there is a linear relationship between the cutting speed and laser power. In addition, the shape of the slit in the cutting process shows fluctuating changes, first contraction and then expansion.
5. Laser cutting focus position control
Tang Yangping proposed a PID control scheme for the laser cutting focus position system, improving dynamic performance and tracking accuracy for wedge-shaped and undulating workpieces.
6 . Determination of optimal process parameters for laser cutting
Tong Ming et al. determined the optimal laser cutting parameters for Q235 steel: 1395W laser power, 0.5mm defocus, 20mm/s cutting speed, and 0.5MPa oxygen pressure. The study found that cutting speed, laser power, and plate thickness are key factors affecting kerf quality, and optimizing these parameters improves both efficiency and quality.
7. Synchronized control of laser power and cutting speed
Wang Shiyong and others established a model of synchronous change of laser power and processing speed and proposed a closed-loop control strategy with high precision of power control, which can realize high-precision cutting control. Experimental results show that the precision of power control is 1.47%, and the depth of slit error is within 1%.
8. Laser cutting applied to locomotive steel structure parts
Zheng Fang et al. discussed the application of laser cutting in the manufacture of locomotive steel structure parts and gave the laser cutting process parameters of carbon steel plates of different thicknesses. These studies provide technical support for improving the precision and efficiency of locomotive steel structure parts manufacturing.
9. Artificial neural network optimization of laser cutting process
Chen Jimin et al. proposed a combination of experimental design and artificial neural network method, through a small amount of experimental data for training and learning, the establishment of laser cutting process parameters selection optimization of the intelligent system, which significantly improves the accuracy of the cutting process prediction.
10. Research on process characteristics of laser cutting stainless steel
Wang Binxiu et al. through the YAG pulsed laser cutting stainless steel test, studied the laser power, cutting speed, focus position and auxiliary gas pressure,e and other factors on the cutting quality, proving that the appropriate process parameters can obtain a high-quality kerf.
11 . Laser-cutting applications in the automotive industry
In the welding of automobile axle shells, Jin Qingsu and others improved the punching and cutting process through laser cutting, successfully solved the problem of poor cutting quality in the traditional process, and effectively reduced production costs and improved welding efficiency.
12. Common problems and solutions
Teng Jie and others summarized the common problems in the laser cutting process, such as cutting impermeable, cutting the start and stop points of the closed line overlapping, the laser not light, etc., and putting forward the corresponding solutions.
13. Application Analysis of Laser Cutting Plates
Yang Suqing and others have analyzed the application of laser cutting machines in plate processing in detail, especially the key technologies involved in the process of plate design and application, which provides support for the wide application of laser cutting in plate processing.
14. Research on Physical Parameters of Laser Cutting
Bi Yuchun and others conducted an in-depth study on the physical and process parameters of laser cutting, establishing the relationship between cutting speed, material thickness, and laser power to optimize the process.
Foreign research status
Abroad, researchers mainly focus on the digital model of the cutting process simulation and the special circumstances of laser cutting due to the more mature laser cutting process.
1. Laser cutting of thermal and mechanical stress simulation
Akarapu et al. from the University of Pennsylvania used 3D finite element analysis to calculate thermal and mechanical stresses in laser cutting, studying the effects of spot diameter, laser power, and spot-workpiece position on cut quality. Their results show significant changes in the cutting seam shape with variations in these parameters This provides important theoretical support for optimizing the laser-cutting process.
2 . Stainless steel cutting test
Hsu et al. of the University of Iowa conducted a laser cutting test on a 6.35mm thick AISI-304 stainless steel plate. The study showed that they achieved excellent cut quality without laser tumors using a laser power of 1.2kW, a cutting speed of 12.7mm/s, and dual-nozzle gas (coaxial and side-blowing). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that the process did not affect the corrosion resistance of the plates.
3. Numerical simulation of the laser cutting process
Gustavo Gutierrez et al. from the University of Puerto Rico used numerical simulation to analyze the effect of process parameters such as laser power and cutting speed on the cut quality during laser cutting. The study validated its results by comparing them with the experimental results of Roy and Modest et al. The study also pointed out that the effects of convection and thermal radiation on heat loss during the laser-cutting process were not significant.
4. Laser cutting of spent nuclear reactor equipment
Guy Pilot et al. from INSERN used a 4kW Nd-YAG laser to cut Uranus 65 steel nuclear reactor spent dehydrators. The results showed it produces no secondary pollution and the least aerosol, making it the best choice for reactor dismantling compared to sawing and plasma cutting. Further studies have shown that an 8kW solid-state laser can successfully cut 100mm thick A42 steel.
5. The effect of laser cutter vibration on quality
Marco Troncossi et al. from the University of Bologna studied laser tool vibration to improve cutting quality. By developing an elastic dynamics model, they revealed the stress response’s “time/space history.” Optimizing key laser components reduced vibration, enhancing cutting quality.
6 . Research on laser cutting of wedge-shaped workpieces
Neimeyer et al. experimentally investigated the influence of travel speed and auxiliary air pressure on cutting quality in laser cutting. The study found that higher knife speeds and smaller auxiliary air pressures result in smaller cutting burrs, and the thickness of the workpiece has little impact on the size of the burr. This study provides a useful reference for optimizing the burr control in the laser cutting process.
Conclusion
Researchers at home and abroad have emphasized laser-cutting technology and made some progress. Due to the different test conditions and process parameters, the results obtained have some discrepancies. To further improve the quality of laser cutting, researchers should increase their efforts, focusing on the following aspects in the future.
1. Laser: As science and technology develop, laser cutting technology will move towards high-power, intelligent technology. Therefore, we should vigorously develop high-power lasers suitable for laser cutting and the corresponding automatic control technology.
2. Cutting process: Improve the existing process, explore new cutting processes, and promote laser cutting technology to more production areas.
3. International cooperation: compared with Germany, the United States, and other countries, we are still lagging behind a lot in the field of laser cutting, a lot of methods and experiences are worth learning and borrowing, and we should strengthen technical exchanges with technologically advanced countries.
