Micromachining of cold-worked tool steel by nanosecond laser

The paper brings the results of experimental study of the laser beam milling applying the industrial grade fiber nanosecond laser operating at wavelength of 1064 nm and 62SiMnCr4 cold-work tool steel as working material. The laser pulse intensity and both lateral and transverse pulse overlaps influence on the material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness are analysed and discussed. The experimental results reveal that for high ablation efficiency in combination with good surface finish the higher values of laser pulse intensities and lower to moderate lateral pulse overlap distances should be applied. (paper)