Thermal simulation of laser-assisted turning

Laser-assisted turning is a technology that combines turning and laser heating in order to manufacture hard and difficult to machine materials. The laser is used to heat up the part in the cutting zone directly in front of the cutting tool, thus the material strength is reduced and the cutting forces decreased. By means of the usage of a pyrometer, it is possible to measure the temperature at the surface of the part. However, the temperature field inside the part to be manufactured depends on e.g. cutting velocity, heat conductivity and absorptivity and cannot be measured by a pyrometer. The determination of the correct laser power and the distance between the laser spot and the cutting tool is necessary to ensure a suitable heating of the cutting zone and especially the temperatures reached at the different depths. With this objective, a thermal analysis of the process has been carried out a numerical model developed by the UPV/EHU.