Implementation of LQR based SOD control in diode laser beam machining on leather specimens

The cutting of leather materials should be enhanced considerably, since the usage of leather is increased in automotive and aerospace applications. The distance between the laser head and specimen in the cutting process should be maintained constant throughout the process as it affects the performance of the cutting. In the present study, an endeavor was made to implement linear–quadratic regulator (LQR) based standoff distance (SOD) control to improve the diode assisted laser beam machining process. The influence of proportional–integral–derivative (PID) and LQR controller were investigated to produce better kerf width and carbonization happened over the machined specimens by considering voltage fluctuations and mechanical vibrations. It was found that LQR approach could produce lower kerf width and carbonization as compared with PID controller. The optimal value of quality deciding factor Q can reduce the disturbances happened on fetching stable output on maintaining the distance with the compromise in energy conservation in the machining process.