Laser Drilling and Efficiency Analysis

In this chapter, the first and the second law efficiency analyses of laser cutting of holes are carried out and specific energy requirement for cutting is computed for different cutting speeds and laser output power levels. Maximum laser scanning speed required for hole cutting of different workpiece thickness is determined. It is shown that the minimum specific energy requirements decrease with increasing hole diameter. It is also shown that the exergy efficiency is lower than the energy efficiency. The energy and exergy efficiencies predicted are related to the resulting cut quality. As an experimental case study, Kevlar plates are considered and it is shown that cutting quality improves significantly at high energy and exergy efficiencies.