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Issue 051 - Summer 2008

A new method of laser beam induced surface modification

Author: Paul Hilton and Ian Jones

The Laser User Issue 51, Summer 2008 Surfi-Sculpt® is a power beam process, invented at and patented by TWI, which enables controlled surface features to be developed on a range of substrates, including but not limited to metals, polymers and ceramics. Such surface features were first demonstrated using electron beams, employing electromagnetic coils to first focus the beam and then deflect this focused beam over the material surface in a rapid and controlled manner. This article will describe more recent work, which has involved the use of focused laser beams to develop similar features.

The process
Fibre delivered laser beams and galvanometer driven scanning mirrors were used in this work to produce the rapidly moving spot of laser energy required for the process. After generation of a molten pool in the substrate material, the beam is then rapidly moved relative to the workpiece. As a result of vapour pressure and surface tension effects, the laser beam movement results in material being moved from within the pool to regions at the extreme end of the beam movement. By repeating this process, it is possible to build up protrusions of several millimeters in height above the surface of the material. By combining and sequencing these protrusions together, a variety of shapes or features can be formed. .....