Numerical study of a plasma jet for plasma-assisted laser cutting

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Laser fusion cutting commonly applies a high-pressurized nitrogen gas jet to blow the molten material out of the cut kerf. However, theoretical considerations suggest that the use of a plasma jet may offer some advantages over this conventional approach. In this preliminary investigation, the characteristics of a non-transferred plasma jet for the application as auxiliary gas in laser beam cutting are analyzed using numerical CFD simulation. Based on this study, a first prototype of a plasma jet generator was manufactured and used in initial cutting experiments on 6 mm thick AISI 304 stainless steel. Two different cooling concepts for the plasma torch were considered and investigated in practice. Suitable values for the nozzle exit diameter, the distance between the electrodes of the plasma torch, the auxiliary gas flow rate and the electric current were identified both model-based and experimentally. The achieved cutting performance is considered a proof-of-principle of the suggested approach of a plasma-assisted laser beam cutting process.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1667-1677
Number of pages11
JournalWelding in the world
Volume67
Issue number7
Early online dateApr 2023
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85151467502

Keywords

DFG Classification of Subject Areas according to Review Boards

Keywords

  • Laser fusion cutting, Non-transferred arc plasma torch, Numerical process model, Plasma jet, Laser fusion cutting, Non-transferred arc plasma torch, Numerical process model, Plasma jet