Improving the cutting performance of remote laser cutting steel plates using a step-like cutting mode

Remote laser cutting offers advantages such as high safety, strong material adaptability, and the absence of tool wear, demonstrating broad application potential in the dismantling field. However, the lack of assisting gas to expel molten metal results in relatively low the cutting efficiency. To address this issue, this study conducted an in-depth analysis of the material removal mechanism during remote laser cutting and found that the material outflow exhibits periodic behavior. Each instance of material outflow was defined as a material removal cycle, and its cycle period was identified as a critical factor influencing cutting performance. Based on this finding, two cutting modes—cutting with a waiting time and cutting with a step-like increase in cutting speed—were compared with the traditional constant-speed cutting mode. The results indicated that both modes enhanced the maximum cutting speed under constant laser power, increasing it by 22% and 39%, respectively. Furthermore, a microstructural analysis of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) was carried out, and the HAZ thicknesses under different cutting modes were compared. It was observed that both alternative cutting modes compensated for the reduced heat input during high-speed cutting through heat accumulation, thereby shortening the material removal cycle. This confirmed the critical role of the material-outflow cycle in cutting performance. The findings of this study offer valuable guidance for optimizing and selecting remote laser cutting processes in dismantling applications.