Laser Beam

Machining
Process
RAFIZAH ABD RASHID
Laser-beam machining is a thermal
material-removal process that utilizes
a high-energy, coherent light beam to
melt and vaporize particles on the
surface of metallic and non-metallic
workpieces.
Thermo-electric

Vaporization

Radiation

Amplified light
The difference between laser light and other light
Characteristic of laser beam

Light that has only one wavelength or

frequency.

a fixed relationship between the

phase of waves in a beam of
radiation of a single frequency

The beam is collimated (accurately

parallel) and concentrated.
A fixed relationship between the phase
of waves in a beam of radiation of a
single frequency.
 Physical processes
occurring during LBM

The unreflected light is

absorbed, thus, heating the
surface of the specimen. On
sufficient heat the workpiece
starts to melt and evaporates.
When the laser lights (temperature is max) focus on the
workpiece it melts and evaporates the workpiece material.
Schematic diagram
of laser beam
machine
THE MAIN PART OF
Power Supply (High voltage power supply):
LASER BEAM
A high voltage electric current is supplied to the system which is used to produce light
MACHINE in flashlight tubes.

Flash Lamps (Pumping medium):

Providing white and coherent light for the very short duration.

Capacitor:
To store and release the energy present in it.

Reflecting Mirror:
To reflect the light directly to the workpiece.

Ruby Crystal:
Produces a series of coherent pulses which are deep red in color passes through the
partially reflecting mirror.

Lens:
To focus the laser beam to a specific focal length (FL).
 What is stimulated
emission of
radiation?

1. As an atom absorbs a photon, its electron are elevated to higher energy levels.
2. When the electron returns to a lower energy state, two identical photon are emitted.
3. These photon can further stimulate more atoms.
4. Thus, resulting in amplification of the light produce.

Atom:
 consists of a central nucleus that is surrounded by one or more
negatively charged electrons.
 The nucleus is positively charged and contains one or more relatively
heavy particles known as protons and neutrons.
Photon:
 a particle that has energy and movement, but,
 it does not have mass or electrical charge.
1. When light energy is supplied to the laser medium (ruby), the electrons in the lower energy state or ground state (E1gains
enough energy and jump into the pump state (E3).
2. After a short period, they fall into the metastable state E2 by releasing radiation less energy. This results in an increase in the
number of electrons in the metastable state E2 and hence population inversion is achieved.
3. After some period, the electrons in the metastable state E2 fall into the lower energy state E1 by releasing energy in the form
of photons. This is called spontaneous emission of radiation.
4. When the emitted photon interacts with the electron in the metastable state, it forcefully makes that electron fall into the
ground state E1.
5. As a result, two photons are emitted. This is called the stimulated emission of radiation.
6. When these emitted photons again interacted with the metastable state electrons, then 4 photons are produced. Because of
this continuous interaction with the electrons, millions of photons are produced.
1. In an active medium (ruby), a process called
spontaneous emission produces light.
2. The light produced within the laser medium will bounce
back and forth between the two mirrors.
3. This stimulates other electrons to fall into the ground state
by releasing light energy.
4. This is called stimulated emission. Likewise, millions of
electrons are stimulated to emit light.
5. Thus, the light gain is achieved.
6. The amplified light escapes through the partially reflecting
mirror to produce laser light.
1. The high voltage power supply is applied on both sides of the flash tubes which emits
light photons that contain energy.
2. A capacitor is used to operate the flash tube at pulse mode.
3. These light photons emitted by the flash tube are absorbed by the ruby crystal.
4. As this system has two reflecting mirrors opposite to each other can prevent and
partially reflect the laser beam through the reflecting mirror.
5. After that, the laser beam can pass through the lens where the intensity or
concentration of the laser light will be increased, and it can remove the material from
the surface of the workpiece.
LABORATORY
LASER CUTTING
MACHINE