Optimization of nitrogen use efficiency in cutting of austenitic stainless steel by a fiber laser

Abstract

In metallurgical processes, metal sheet cutting is usually a basic technological operation that needs to be performed. All other technological operations follow the procedure of metal sheet cutting, with the final aim of manufacturing a final product. Machines used for that basic metal cutting operation shall be reliable, efficient, fast, and relatively easy to work with. While working with a laser, the authors noticed the inefficiency of cutting with nitrogen. Nitrogen bottles got empty too quickly, which caused additional costs. Inefficient, i.e., excessive nitrogen consumption requires a more frequent supply of nitrogen. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nitrogen was not always available, as suppliers shifted to manufacture oxygen bottles for medical needs. Therefore, the authors engaged in finding solutions to reduce the consumption of nitrogen at cutting. The mentioned problem was studied within the experiment that focused on the optimization of nitrogen use during fiber laser cutting, the procedure, and results of which are described in this paper. Specimens of different cutting parameters were prepared and cut to measure their roughness and burr height. The collected data were used to create a mathematical model with an ANOVA table. The experiment resulted in the determination of optimal cutting parameters achieved by the lowest possible cutting gas pressure.