Laser cutting of small diameter holes in different metallic materials G.D. Chioibasu, C. Viespe National Institute of Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Magurele-Bucharest, Romania Methods Introduction Aluminum sample This paper experimentally investigates the laser cutting of small diameter holes made by a continuous solid state laser Yb: YAG, with power up to 3 kW, TruDisk 3001, connected to a precision machine for laser processing of materials, TruLaser Cell 3010. The effect of processing parameters such as laser power, the laser spot diameter, the cutting speed and the assisting gas pressure was evaluated. These types of holes were processed on different types of metallic materials such as aluminum and carbon - steel. Steel - carbon sample Experimental setting TruLaser Cell 3001 During the processing 2D and 3D laser system Axis travel paths: X-axis 1000 mm Y-axis 500 mm Z-axis 400 mm B-axis ±135⁰ C-axis 360⁰ Maximum speed - 50 m/min Accuracy - 15 µm T= 𝑫 𝒎𝒂𝒙 − 𝑫 𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝒕 , t – sheet thickness t = 1 mm Results Aluminum sheet Carbon - steel sheet For aluminum sheet, after the microscopic analysis, it was noticed that the best results were obtained using 600 W laser power and gas pressure 16 bar. For carbon – steel sheet, after the microscopic analysis, it was noticed that the best results were obtained using 700 W laser power and gas pressure 10 bar. The diameters of the holes – Entrance laser The diameters of the holes- Exit laser The diameters of the holes - Entrance laser The diameters of the holes- Exit laser Exit laser Entrance laser Entrance laser Exit laser Conclusion The holes taper performed on aluminum sheet, decreases as the laser power increases; The holes taper performed on aluminum sheet, decreases as the gas pressure (industrial nitrogen) increases; The holes taper performed on a carbon steel sheet, increases as the laser power increases; The holes taper performed on a carbon steel sheet, increases as the gas pressure (industrial nitrogen) increases; This work was supported by a grant by the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, CNCS – UEFISCDI, project LAPLAS 4 PN 09 39 01 05.