Ottimizzazione dei processi di taglio e pulizia laser per applicazioni industriali = Optimization of laser cleaning and cutting processes for industrial applications

Nowadays, the Laser technology is being more and more important in the industrial fields given its propensity for a strong automation and high-speed processes. Lasers can be used for cutting, drilling, surface cleaning, welding, brazing, thermal treatments, marking, cladding, alloying and in the Additive Manufacturing processes. In this work of thesis were described the activities regarding two main applications of the Laser technology: -Laser cleaning of a 34CrMo4 high hardness steel pipes used for the oil and gas industries; -Laser cutting of composite materials (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics, with and without recycled carbon fibers). Firstly, all the fundamentals of the laser technology were introduced, explaining the physical process behind a beam creation, transport and propagation. Were illustrated the main sources available and described the differences between each others, the application fields and the safety rules for the different laser typologies. Secondly, were illustrated both the fundamental mechanisms of the Laser cleaning and cutting processes, the equations which governates the phenomena, the materials which can be processed and a comparison between the alternative technologies which can be used. Thirdly, a description of the materials used, the laboratory machineries and the measurements instrumentations and the analytical tools used during the research activity were performed. Fourthly were described all the tests and analysis performed for both the cleaning and cutting processes, were shown the tested experimental plans, the various measurements performed, a detailed description of the analytical instruments used and the improvements obtained in terms of the measured variables. In the end, all the main considerations for each process were drawn, pointed out the improvements obtained and suggested the main parameters that can be used in each process.