Experimental and statistical investigation of the effect of input parameters on output parameters in laser cutting of stainless steel material

Abstract

This study experimentally and statistically investigated the effects of machining parameters on surface roughness and upper and lower kerf widths during the laser cutting of AISI 304 stainless steel. The experimental design was based on the L18 orthogonal array of the Taguchi technique. Laser cutting parameters included focal point (−4 mm and 4 mm), gas pressure (5, 10, and 15 bar), and cutting speed (5000, 7500, and 10,000 mm/min). The results showed that cutting speed and gas pressure reduced surface roughness up to a critical threshold. Additionally, increasing cutting speed decreased kerf widths, while higher gas pressure led to increased upper and lower kerf widths. Statistical analysis identified cutting speed as the most influential parameter for surface roughness (56.05%), upper kerf width (35.33%), and lower kerf width (66.33%). Finally, the Taguchi-based Grey relational analysis determined the optimal machining parameters as A₂B₁C₃.