Effect of laser beam on machining of titanium alloys

Laser assisted machining of titanium alloys has been investigated in comparison with conventional machining. The effects of laser beam on the cutting forces, chip formation, machined surface and tool vibration have been examined.

It is found that the cutting forces were reduced with the assistance of laser beam. The reduction of cutting forces was primarily dependent on the cutting speed, tool-beam distance and laser lens-workpiece distance. With increasing cutting speed, the chip formation changed from the sharp segmented chip through continuous chip to segmented chip which is the typical chip formation in conventional machining of titanium alloys.