Gas-jet laser cutting (review)

A review is given of the work carried out abroad and in the Soviet Union on gas-jet laser cutting. The physical basis of the cutting process is considered and the solutions are given of the thermal problems on the assumption that heat sources have point-like and normal intensity distributions. Nomograms plotted in terms of dimensionless parameters can be used to calculate numerical values of the cutting rate as a function of the laser power and the thermal properties of the material being cut. The results of the experimental investigations of the cutting of metals and dielectrics are reported. A description is given of a Soviet high-power CO₂ laser unit for cutting of sheet materials. Other technological applications (for example, welding) of high-power CO₂ lasers are discussed.