In-situ heat treatment system for die steels using YAG laser with a machining center

We propose a laser heat treatment system for die steels using a YAG laser on the machine tool table. Optical fiber is used to transmit the laser light from a source to the machine tool table in this system, which makes it possible to perform the cutting processes, the heat treatment and the grinding processes with a machining center. In the present report, the experiments of laser heat treatment were done in order to research suitable die steels for this system. Additionally, the temperatures based on a theoretical model were investigated during the laser irradiation. As a result, it is clear that the martensite start temperature (Ms point) of materials is an important factor to estimate the application of this heat treatment.