Process Optimization for Pulsed Laser Drilling of 20Cr13 Sheets Based on Orthogonal Experiments

Abstract

The orthogonal experimental method is utilized to carry out the experimental investigation for the pulsed Nd∶YAG laser drilling of the stainless steel 20Cr13 sheets. The influence levels of the process parameters for laser drilling (pulse energy, pulse number, pulse width, pulse recurrence frequency, and defocusing amount) on the microhole formation quality (microhole diameter and taper angle) are analyzed. The optimized process parameters obtained using orthogonal experimental method and the optimized experimental conditions (the optimized process parameters through the actual experimental measurements and comparison, using which the highest microhole formation quality is achieved) are recommended for the pulsed Nd∶YAG laser drilling of 20Cr13 sheets. Regarding the pulsed Nd∶YAG laser drilling of the stainless steel 20Cr13 sheets, it is shown that the pulse energy, the pulse width, and the defocusing amount are the key factors which influence the microhole formation quality, however, the alteration of the pulse number and the pulse recurrence frequency contribute less to the microhole formation quality.