Non Traditional Manufacturing Processes
Non-traditional manufacturing processes is defined as a group of processes that remove excess material by various techniques involving mechanical, thermal, electrical or chemical energy or combinations of these energies but do not use a sharp cutting tools as it needs to be used for traditional manufacturing processes.
Extremely hard and brittle materials are difficult to machine by traditional machining processes such as turning, drilling, shaping and milling. Non traditional machining processes, also called advanced manufacturing processes, are employed where traditional machining processes are not feasible, satisfactory or economical due to special reasons as outlined below.
- Very hard fragile materials difficult to clamp for traditional machining
- When the workpiece is too flexible or slender
- When the shape of the part is too complex
Laser–Beam Machining (LBM) Introduction
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. Lasers can be used to cut, drill, weld and mark. LBM is particularly suitable for making accurately placed holes. A schematic of laser beam machining is shown in Figure 12.
Different types of lasers are available for manufacturing operations which are as follows:
- CO2 (pulsed or continuous wave): It is a gas laser that emits light in the infrared region.? It can provide up to 25 kW in continuous-wave mode.
- Nd:YAG:? Neodymium-doped Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Y3Al5O12) laser is a solid-state laser which can deliver light through a fibre-optic cable. It can provide up to 50 kW power in pulsed mode and 1 kW in continuous-wave mode.
Figure 12: Laser beam machining schematic
Applications
LBM can make very accurate holes as small as 0.005 mm in refractory metals ceramics, and composite material without warping the workpieces. This process is used widely for drilling and cutting of metallic and non-metallic materials. Laser beam machining is being used extensively in the electronic and automotive industries.
Laser beam cutting (drilling)
- In drilling, energy transferred (e.g., via a Nd:YAG laser) into the workpiece melts the material at the point of contact, which subsequently changes into a plasma and leaves the region.
- A gas jet (typically, oxygen) can further facilitate this phase transformation and departure of material removed.
- Laser drilling should be targeted for hard materials and hole geometries that are difficult to achieve with other methods.
Figure 13: SEM micrograph hole drilled in 250 micro meter thick Silicon Nitride with 3rd harmonic Nd: YAG laser
Laser beam cutting (milling)
- A laser spot reflected onto the surface of a workpiece travels along a prescribed trajectory and cuts into the material.
- Continuous-wave mode (CO2) gas lasers are very suitable for laser cutting providing high-average power, yielding ? high material-removal rates, and smooth cutting surfaces.
Advantage of laser cutting
- No limit to cutting path as the laser point can move any path.
- The process is stress less allowing very fragile materials to be laser cut without any support.
- Very hard and abrasive material can be cut.
- Sticky materials are also can be cut by this process.
- It is a cost effective and flexible process.
- High accuracy parts can be machined.
- No cutting lubricants required
- No tool wear
- Narrow heat effected zone
- Uneconomic on high volumes compared to stamping
- Limitations on thickness due to taper
- High capital cost
- High maintenance cost
- Assist or cover gas required
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