Quality analysis measurement for laser cutting

A new approach to automated quality measurement of laser cut in industrial metal cutting processes is presented. The paper demonstrates how is possible to exploit the link between the shape of the erupted sparks from the metallic piece and the final quality of the edges of the laser cut, and propose a solution to automate the quality measurement. The analysis of the shape of the sparks is performed by using images from a camera during real time functioning. The trade-off between accuracy and robustness versus complexity was considered in order to achieve a prototype solution working in real time.