Investigation of Agel Leaf Fiber/Unsaturated Polyester Composite Cutting Parameters Using CO2 Laser

Composite is a material with some advantages such as corrosion-resistant, strong, and lightweight. The development of composite materials moves toward sustainable issues by using natural fibers as reinforcement. One of natural fiber type that can be used as reinforcement is agel leaf fiber. The result of composite forming using agel leaf fiber can be applied as the main structure of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The process of making the main structure of UAV is done by cutting the composite sheet. Cutting process using conventional machining results various kinds of damage to composite such as rupture, crack, delamination and tool wear. Laser cutting presents capability to eliminate the potential damage due to no contact between the cutting tools and the workpiece. Another advantage from laser cutting is capability to repeat the same process with a high level of precision. This study aims to determine the effect of various cutting factors of agel leaf fiber/unsaturated polyester with CO₂laser in order to obtain best results in the form of smallest kerf width/depth (L/D). Laser power varies at 30, 50, and 70 W. Cutting speed varies at 2, 4 and 6 mm/s. Nozzle distance varied at 24, 26, and 28 mm. Gas pressure varied at 2.5; 5; and 7.5 kPa. Taguchi Method's Orthogonal Arrays L9 is used to combine multiple factor. To ensure data accuracy, each number of tests are done by 3 times repetition. Based on Signal to Noise (S/N) Ratio and ANOVA analysis, gas pressure rank first as the most influencing factor in cutting process of agel leaf fiber/unsaturated polyester composite using CO₂laser. Cutting speed, nozzle distance and laser power rank second, third and fourth, respectively.