Cutting of nonmetallic materials by a CO2 laser beam

An experimental study was made of the cutting of nonmetallic materials by a CO₂ laser beam, the main attention being concentrated on the gas-jet cutting light industrial materials (footwear and small leather goods). The influence of the gas mixture composition and of its pressure on the cutting parameters was considered. An expression relating the cutting parameters to the focusing conditions of the radiation was established and the influence of the laser power on the width of the cut and on the cutting speed was studied.