Precision laser deburring and acoustic emission feedback

Abstract

Sensor feedback for process control in one of the essential elements in an automated deburring procedure. This paper presents the implementation of acoustic emission (AE), which has been developed as a feedback sensing techniques for precision (mechanical) deburring, in a precision laser deburring process. AE signals were sampled during laser machining/deburring under various experimental conditions and analyzed using several signals processing methods including AE rms and spectral analysis. The results, such as the sensitivity of AE signals to different laser cutting depths, edge detection capability and the frequency analysis show a clear correlation between physical process parameters and the AE signals. A subsequent control strategy for deburring automation is also briefly discussed.