An Experimental Investigation of Laser-Assisted Machining of EN24 Steel

The demand for higher strength and heat-resistant materials is increasing day by day. These materials are considered as difficult to machine due to excessive tool wear and poor surface finish. EN24 is commonly used steel in the aerospace industry where machinability for this material is limited due to their higher strength and hardness. In the present study, the laser-assisted machining [LAM] process of EN24 steel was studied using a traditional lathe system integrated with a 6 kW fiber delivered diode laser. A universal 5-axes fixture was developed to mount the optical unit on the lathe machine to facilitate manual alignment and synchronized movement of laser spot with the tool. A systematic laser-assisted machining study was carried out, and surface roughness and tool wear were examined by varying parameters of laser power, spindle speed, and depth of cut. A three-dimensional transient, heat transfer model of the process was developed through the COMSOL Multiphysics software tool to compute temperature profile in the workpiece during LAM. The experimental results showed significant improvement in machinability and reduction in tool wear in the LAM process.