R. Ramanujam

A Parametric Optimization on Cutting Force during Laser Assisted Machining of Inconel 718 Alloy

Inconel 718, a nickel based alloys, addressed as difficult to cut material because of hard carbide particle, hardness, work hardening and low thermal conductivity. Improving the machinability characteristics of nickel based alloys is a major anxiety in aircraft, space vehicle and other manufacturing fields. This paper presents an experimental investigation in Laser assisted turning of Inconel 718 to determine the effects of laser cutting parameters on cutting temperature and cutting forces. This nickel alloy has a material hardness at 48 HRC and machined with TICN/Al2O3/TiN tool. This is employed for the manufacture of helicopter rotor blades and cryogenic storage tanks. The experiments were conducted at One-Factor-at-a-Time.The effects of laser cutting parameters, namely cutting speed, feed rate, laser power and laser to work piece angle, on the cutting temperature and cutting force components, are critically analysed and the results are compared with unassisted machining of this alloy. The experiments are conducted by varying the cutting speed at three levels (50, 75, 100 m/min), feed rate (0.05, 0.075 0.1 mm/rev), laser power (1.25 kW, 1.5 kW, 1.75 kW) and at two level laser to work piece angle (60, 75°). At the optimal parametric combinationof laser power 1.5 kW with cutting speed of 75m/min, feed rate of 0.075 mm/min and laser to work piece angle 60°, the benefit of LAM was shown by 18%, 25% and 24% decrease in feed force (Fx), thrust force (Fy) and cutting force (Fz) as compared to those of the conventional machining. Examination of the machined surface hardness profiles showed no change under LAM and conventional machining.