Analysis of laser cut slots on different thickness steel plates

One of the processes used to separate parts from plate-type workpiece is laser beam cutting. The evaluation of the quality of the machined surfaces can be performed by taking into account the influence exerted by some input factors in the cutting process on the width of the slot and on the roughness of the surfaces generated by the laser beam cutting process. The paper presents the results of experimental research performed on a steel plate type workpiece. The objective pursued was to reveal the influence exerted by several input factors of the laser beam cutting process on some output parameters of this process. Empirical mathematical models corresponding to the output parameters taken into account were established. It was possible to order the input factors in the process by taking into consideration their weight in the values of the output parameters.