Effect of solid-state laser parameters on the surface's topography formation during texturization of hard metal cutting tools

The objective of this paper is to analyze the influence of specific laser system parameters on the microstructure of the ring formation process on the hard metal tools surface. The parameters analyzed were: working distance, incident beam power and tool surface treatment, flank and rake. The microstructures were analyzed with regard to its diameter and depth by an optical 3-D surface metrology instrument. The analyses were made by comparing the rings process formation with the dimples process formation, a well-known process called ablation. The results show that the rings diameter is increased by increasing incident beam power or the distance of the laser beams focus for both surfaces. In addition, increasing the working distance decreases the rings depth for both surfaces.