Overview
Laser drilling of metal alloys offers exceptional quality and precision for a wide range of applications, including fuel delivery systems, various filters, and functional surfaces. Key advantages include fast processing speed, high accuracy, and excellent surface finish.
Physical Principle
Femtosecond pulses enable percussion drilling (single-pulse) and trepanning (circular motion) with zero heat-affected zone. Nonlinear absorption allows drilling in transparent materials, while high peak power enables processing of any metal without thermal stress.
Recommended CP-Series Models for This Process
Microscope images of holes drilled with GHz-burst femtosecond laser in sodalime glass (top row: a-d, 100 μm depth) and fused silica (bottom row: e-h, 75 μm depth) with varying pulse numbers per burst (36, 70, 100, and 130 ppb). Note the excellent hole quality with smooth, glossy inner surfaces and cylindrical morphology, demonstrating crack-free percussion drilling in glasses. Reproduced from Balage et al., Micromachines 2023, 14(6), 1158. © 2023 by the authors. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Technical Capabilities
Compatible Materials
Stainless Steel, Titanium, Copper
Fuel injector nozzles, cooling holes
Glass (Borosilicate, Fused Silica)
Microfluidic inlets, TGV (Through Glass Vias)
Sapphire
Watch crystals, optical components
Ceramics (Al₂O₃, ZrO₂)
High-temperature sensors
Polymers (PEEK, PMMA)
Medical devices, microfluidics
Diamond-coated tools
Tool manufacturing
Applications
Automotive & Aerospace
- •Fuel injector nozzles
- •Cooling hole arrays in turbine blades
- •Sensor apertures
Medical Devices
- •Catheter side ports
- •Needle beveling with micro-holes
- •Drug delivery systems
Microfluidics
- •Lab-on-chip inlet/outlet ports
- •Through-glass vias (TGV)
- •Microreactor channels
Watchmaking
- •Ruby bearing drilling
- •Sapphire crystal holes
- •Precision gear holes
Technology Comparison
| Parameter | Femtosecond Laser | Mechanical Drill | Nanosecond Laser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Hole Size | 1 μm | 50 μm (tool limit) | 10 μm |
| Aspect Ratio | 100:1 | 10:1 | 20:1 |
| Taper Angle | 0° (cylindrical) | 2-5° | 3-10° |
| Glass Drilling | No cracking | High crack risk | Cracking common |
| Tool Wear | None | Consumable | None |
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Read Application SpotlightReady to Implement This Process?
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