An experimental investigation on Nd:YAG laser microchanneling on polymethyl methacrylate submerged in water

Abstract

In this research work, an experimental investigation has been carried out on underwater laser microchanneling on polymethyl methacrylate, using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser system. The underwater laser processing has been used to minimize the heat-affected zone, microcracking and burr formation around the microchannel. The process parameters that have been taken into consideration are lamp current, pulse frequency, pulse width and cutting speed. The microchannel characteristics that have been taken into account as responses are microchannel width, microchannel depth, burr width and burr height. Response surface methodology has been used to develop the mathematical relationships between the process parameters and microchannel characteristics. The adequacies of the models have been tested using analysis of variance. The interaction effects of process parameters on the microchannel characteristics have been analyzed and discussed. In addition to that, single-objective and multiobjective optimization of the process parameters have been performed to obtain desired values of microchannel characteristics.

Lasers Based Manufacturing

“…PMMA possesses high absorbance in mid-infrared zone which makes it particularly suitable for CO 2 laser (Malek 2006). Therefore, all the energy transferred to material is utilized in rapid 240 S. Prakash and S. Kumar vaporization (Prakash et al 2013). Therefore, all the energy transferred to material is utilized in rapid 240 S. Prakash and S. Kumar vaporization (Prakash et al 2013).…”

Experimental investigation of surface defects in low‐power CO2 laser engraving of glass fiber‐reinforced polymer composite

“…Both the values were found to be identical. Noncontact methods were earlier also used for depth measurement . Average surface roughness (Ra) of the engraved area was measured using Mitutoyo contact surface roughness tester (RJ‐201).…”

Energy Based Analysis of Laser Microchanneling Process on Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)

“…It has low heat capacity and low heat conduction. Therefore, all the energy transferred to material is utilized in rapid vaporization (Prakash et al 2013). PMMA also offers high degree of optical transparency which makes it perfectly suitable for many microfluidic devices.…”