Assessment of Laser Cutting Quality Using Acoustic Emission Signals

The paper gives an analysis of acoustic-emission signals measured in the course of laser cutting of steels plates DC04 and X5CrNi18-10. Laser cutting is a process in which there can be a wide range of cutting parameters, but nevertheless cutting of plate products can be accomplished. Within the range of the parameters concerned, however, the quality of a cut edge can vary quite strongly; laser-beam power density, cutting speed and consumption of cutting oxygen are closely related to the cost-effectiveness of the cutting process. The research was focused on laser cutting of steel plate DC04 and of austenitic stainless steel plate X5CrNi18-10 of 1.5 mm in thickness, which is frequently used in the production of body components in automotive industry. AE signals captured and measured with a PZT contact sensor during laser cutting can provide useful information for the assessment of laser-cut quality. Similarly AE bursts sensed after laser cutting give a good insight into the laser-cut quality. A use of AE measurement during laser cutting of a deep-drawn mudguard is described as well.