Nd:YAG laser beam machining (LBM) process has a great potential to manufacture intricate shaped microproducts with its unique characteristics. In practical applications, such as drilling, grooving, cutting, or scribing, the optimal combination of Nd:YAG LBM process parameters needs to be sought out to provide the desired machining performance. Several mathematical techniques, like Taguchi method, desirability function, grey relational analysis, and genetic algorithm, have already been applied for parametric optimization of Nd:YAG LBM processes, but in most of the cases, suboptimal or near optimal solutions have been reached. This paper focuses on the application of artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm to determine the optimal Nd:YAG LBM process parameters while considering both single and multiobjective optimization of the responses. A comparative study with other population-based algorithms, like genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization, and ant colony optimization algorithm, proves the global applicability and acceptability of ABC algorithm for parametric optimization. In this algorithm, exchange of information amongst the onlooker bees minimizes the search iteration for the global optimal and avoids generation of suboptimal solutions. The results of two sample paired -tests also demonstrate its superiority over the other optimization algorithms. 1. Introduction Increasing demand for advanced difficult-to-machine materials and availability of high-power lasers have stimulated interest among the researchers for the development of laser beam machining (LBM) processes [1]. The LBM, which is a thermal energy-based machining process, is now being widely applied to fulfill the present day requirements of high flexibility and productivity, noncontact processing, elimination of finishing operations, adaptability to automation, reduced processing cost, improved product quality, greater material utilization, processing of materials irrespective of electrical conductivity, minimum heat affected zone (HAZ), and green manufacturing. In this process, the material is removed by (a) melting, (b) vaporization, and (c) chemical degradation where the chemical bonds are broken causing the materials to degrade. When a high energy density laser beam is focused on a work surface, the thermal energy is absorbed which heats and transforms the work volume into a molten, vaporized, or chemically changed state that can easily be removed by the flow of high pressure assist gas jet. This process also does not involve any mechanical cutting force and tool wear. Using LBM
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