Macroscopic simulation model for laser cutting of carbon fibre reinforced plastics

Laser cutting of carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) has shown promising potential as an alternative to conventional manufacturing processes. Laser cutting has major benefits of contactless and therefore wear-free machining and high automation potential. The main challenge is to reduce the heat input into the material during the process. Excessive temperatures cause damage within the surrounding matrix material and could locally modify the structural properties of the CFRP. For industrial use it is necessary to be able to predict the resulting temperature fields. To gain knowledge of the temperature distribution during the process, a three-dimensional macroscopic finite element model is developed using ANSYS simulation software. Transient-thermal analyses are performed and the material removal process is implemented via the element-death technique. Simulations are run for a unidirectional composite structure and different cutting speeds. The resulting temperatures are compared to experimental data.