The Synergistic Effect of Waterjet Assistance and a Novel Line-Delay Strategy on Precision Laser Drilling of Inconel 718

Xuecheng Gao; Shufeng Sun; Jin Wang; Fengyun Zhang; Yaofei Ma; Tao Wei; Junbao Li; Pingping Wang

doi:10.63313/AJET.9018

Authors

Xuecheng Gao Discipline Innovation and Wisdom Introduction Base of High-end Laser Intelligent Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, school of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266520, China Author
Shufeng Sun Discipline Innovation and Wisdom Introduction Base of High-end Laser Intelligent Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, school of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266520, China Author
Jin Wang Discipline Innovation and Wisdom Introduction Base of High-end Laser Intelligent Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, school of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266520, China Author
Fengyun Zhang Discipline Innovation and Wisdom Introduction Base of High-end Laser Intelligent Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, school of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266520, China Author
Yaofei Ma Discipline Innovation and Wisdom Introduction Base of High-end Laser Intelligent Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, school of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266520, China Author
Tao Wei Discipline Innovation and Wisdom Introduction Base of High-end Laser Intelligent Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, school of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266520, China Author
Junbao Li Discipline Innovation and Wisdom Introduction Base of High-end Laser Intelligent Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, school of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266520, China Author
Pingping Wang Discipline Innovation and Wisdom Introduction Base of High-end Laser Intelligent Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, school of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266520, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63313/AJET.9018

Keywords:

Laser drilling, waterjet assistance, pulse delay, Inconel 718, process optimization, microhole quality

Abstract

This study investigates the optimization of process parameters for waterjet-assisted nanosecond laser drilling of Inconel 718, with a focus on improving microhole quality through pulse delay strategies and defocus control. Experi-ments were conducted using concentric circular scanning under both underwa-ter and in-air conditions, with emphasis on the effects of delay methods—specifically face-delay and line-delay—on geometric accuracy and morphologi-cal integrity. Results indicate that the line-delay approach significantly reduces entrance diameter, taper, microcracks, and oxidation compared to non-delayed and face-delayed conditions. The ablation threshold increased from 12.58 J/cm² in air to 22.12 J/cm² underwater due to energy attenuation effects. Optimal machining quality was achieved with a defocus distance of –0.5 mm, corre-sponding to focal positioning near the workpiece center. The study demon-strates that waterjet-assisted laser drilling with adaptive pulse delay effectively enhances machining precision and surface quality, showing great potential for applications in high-temperature component manufacturing.

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