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Laser machining processes are a new entrant and a rapidly evolving type of non-conventional machining process which allows the machining of complex geometries with high precision, surface quality and productivity in a wide range of materials. Thus, the need for creating a method has emerged that will help the laser machine operator to select the optimal process parameters. In this study an experimental investigation of the effect of the process parameters on the effectiveness of the laser engraving process was held. The examined process parameters were namely the average output power, the repetition rate, and the scanning speed. For this purpose 126 experimental samples, with various combinations of process parameters using a nanosecond Nd:YAG DMG MORI Lasertec 40 laser machine on a SAE 304 stainless steel plate were made. The measured criteria which evaluated the effectiveness of the process were the removed material layer thickness and the material removal rate.

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Ιn this paper a 3D finite element simulation model of the nanosecond pulsed laser engraving process will be presented. With this model simulations of laser engraving process will be performed for some widely used materials using a wide range of process parameters in order to estimate the removed material layer thickness at each laser scan over the surface of the workpiece. Determining the removed material layer thickness is an important task because the machine must receive this value as input from the operator to calculate how many passes-layers need to be made in order to achieve the desired final depth of engraving. Since there is no simulation tool for this purpose at this time, the removed material layer thickness is determined through an experimental procedure. However, this procedure is time consuming as it has to be carried out each time separately depending on the process parameters, the material used, etc.

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