Product Code: ICA11_1003

Parametric Study of a Laser-Based Hybrid Drill for Concrete
Authors:
Shigeki Muto, Sankyo Seisakusho Co.; Kikugawa Japan
Heizaburo Kato, Sankyo Seisakusho Co.; Kikugawa Japan
Kazuya Masuda, Sankyo Seisakusho Co.; Kikugawa Japan
Kazuyoku Tei, Tokai University; Hiratsuka Japan
Tomoo Fujioka, Institute for Applied Optics; Tokyo Japan
Presented at ICALEO 2011

Laser cutting and drilling for concrete are an attractive method for dismantling nuclear facilities and performing reconstruction generally of public buildings. The reduced amount of secondary waste is ideal for cutting irradiated biological shield walls in nuclear power plants, and the decrease in noise and vibration is advantageous for doing repair work, for example earthquake-proofing hospitals and schools. A drill for concrete is being developed using a laser-based hybrid technique. This technique is a hybrid multi-pass technique such that each pass includes a laser beam exposure and dross removal by a mechanical method. One important feature of this technique is that the cutting depth does not depend on the laser power. The design locates the outlet hole of laser beam and drill blades on a common rotational axis. The laser beam weakens the concrete, and the blade breaks the weakened layer. Drilling speed at 2 kW laser power was 80 mm/min to produce 22 mm diameter hole.