High speed characterisation of laser percusion-drilled holes

The characterisation of laser percusion-drilled holes in a nickel-based superalloy material has been carried out using a vision-based measurement system. This paper discusses the various factors and the unique features of laser percusion-drilled holes that affect the measurements. The optimum conditions for carrying out such measurements have been determined. It is shown that laser-drilled holes can be accurately characterised at very high speeds by means of a vision-based measurement system. The implications and the advantages of high speed experimental data analysis in laser percusion drilling research are discussed and a practical extension of the process to the inspection and the quality control of laser percusion-drilled holes is presented.