DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS OF THE PROCESS OF LASER CUTTING OF METALS

An analysis of the existing methods of laser cutting is given and the features of constructive and technological improvement of the process are presented. The technology of laser cutting of metals, in particular sheet metal, is constantlybeing improved and modernized. Expanding the functionality of existing equipment on the market can be done by using two or more laser heads. The laser heads move synchronously and are programmatically coordinated among themselves in six coordinates. This allows not only to increase the speed of the cutting process, but also provides the possibility of simultaneously cutting several different parts or holes from one sheet or more sheets, which ensures the expansion of functionality, as wellas the acceleration of the cutting process.At the same time, the disadvantages of the traditional method of contour laser cutting are the low quality of the cut edges. To improve the quality of laser cutting, it is recommended to reduce the thermal effect on the metal of the workpiece with the help of a cooling liquid sprayed along with the gas flow, which allows to reduce the thermal conductivity of the metal of the workpiece. A significant drawback of this method is the complex design of the laser installation. Taking into account other disadvantages of the traditional contour laser cutting method (non-perpendicularity and high roughness) and the possible range of metal thicknesses, a combined laser cutting method was proposed. A combined laser installation was developed, where sheet metal is subjected to mechanical activation before laser cutting, which consists in cold plastic deformation. At the same time, the mechanical activation of the metal sheet occurs, which leads to a decrease in the thermal conductivity of the metaldue to its deformation hardening and, as a result, a reduction (localization) of the zone of thermal influence in the cutting zone. The observed effect is due to the compaction of the crystal lattice of the metal, the increase in the density of dislocationsduring plastic deformation. Whenapplying preliminary deformation, not only the width of the cut in the metal is reduced, but also the roughness of the cut surface and the size of the thermally affected zone at its edges.The presented technological solution makes it possible to reduce the cost of the product by reducing the labor intensity of further metalwork as a result of increasing the accuracy of dimensions and reducing the roughness of the cut surface and significantly reducing the width of the cut.