Laser cutting, as an advanced processing technology, enables high precision, speed, and flexibility when machining non-metallic materials. Due to the sublimation-based material removal mechanism, various gases and other residues are formed in the cutting zone. Compressed air is commonly used to remove these products. In this thesis, the influence of airflow and nozzle geometry on process efficiency and surface quality in CO2 laser cutting was examined. A modular nozzle with an adjustable outlet diameter and standoff distance from the workpiece surface was fabricated. On samples of poplar plywood, samba wood, and PMMA, the cutting speeds and geometric parameters of the cut were experimentally determined, and the surface quality was visually assessed. The results for the developed nozzle showed an increase in cutting speed of up to 69 % and improvements in surface quality, with the nozzle parameters being dependent on the material properties. Based on the obtained results, the integration of the modular nozzle into the existing system was confirmed.
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