Investigation on the Effects of Process Parameters on Laser Percussion Drilling Using Finite Element Methodology; Statistical Modelling and Optimization

In the present research, the simulation of the Nickel-base superalloy Inconel 718 fiber-laser drilling process with the thickness of 1mm is investigated through the Finite Element Method. In order to specify the appropriate Gaussian distribution of laser beam, the results of an experimental research on glass laser drilling were simulated using three types of Gaussian distribution. The DFLUX subroutine was used to implement the laser heat sources of the models using the Fortran language. After the appropriate Gaussian distribution was chosen, the model was validated with the experimental results of the Nickel-base superalloy Inconel 718 laser drilling process. The negligible error percentage among the experimental and simulation results demonstrates the high accuracy of this model. The experiments were performed based on the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) as a statistical design of experiment (DOE) approach to investigate the influence of process parameters on the responses, obtaining the mathematical regressions and predicting the new results. Four parameters i.e. laser pulse frequency (150 to 550 Hz), laser power (200 to 500 watts), laser focal plane position (-0.5 to +0.5 mm) and the duty cycle (30 to 70%) were considered to be the input variables in 5 levels and four external parameters i.e. the hole's entrance and exit diameters, hole taper angle and the weight of mass removed from the hole, were observed to be the process output responses of this central composite design. By performing the statistical analysis, the input and output parameters were found to have a direct relation with each other. By an increase in each of the input variables, the entrance and exit hole diameters, the hole taper angel, and the weight of mass removed from the hole increase. Finally, the results of the conducted simulations and statistical analyses having been used, the laser drilling process was optimized by means of the desire ability approach. Good agreement between the simulated and the optimization results revealed that the model would be appropriate for laser drilling process numerical simulation.