Cutting thin sheet metal with a water jet guided laser using various cutting distances, feed speeds and angles of incidence

This research deals with the cutting of thin sheet metals at various distances, feed speeds and angles of incidence using a water jet guided laser. In the water jet guided laser process a laser beam is focused into a jet of water, which transmits the beam to the workpiece. This eliminates the need for any focus control. Nevertheless, most of its applications are in planar cutting where this advantage is not utilized. For the laser parameters, jet pressure and diameter in question, the value of 50 mm was found to be a fairly reliable upper limit to the cutting distance for both normal and inclined surfaces. In addition to the laser beam being absorbed partially by the water jet, the jet was found to be susceptible to disturbances. Specimen vibration caused by the water jet also impeded cutting a continuous kerf.