Luxinar’s first range of ultrashort pulse laser sources, the LXR® series, is a patented technology that has revolutionised materials processing with its short pulse width (800 ± 100 fs) allowing ultrahigh precision micro- and nanofabrication of various components.
LXR® provides high throughput and repeatability, and its fast burst mode increases material removal while maintaining high-quality machining. LXR® applications include ablating, cutting, drilling, engraving, joining, marking, micromachining, scribing, separating, surface functionalisation and welding for the aerospace, automotive, electronics and pharmaceutical industries. Several applications are highlighted here:
Sub-surface glass marking for the pharmaceutical industry
Ultrashort pulse lasers, including Luxinar’s LXR® series, can mark in the bulk of optically transparent materials for applications including syringe and vial marking; sub-surface codes are indelible and not subject to wear or damage. The laser source marks closely spaced dots to form characters less than half a millimetre high, barely visible to the naked eye.
Glass cutting for the automotive industry
Ultrashort pulse and CO2 lasers can be used in combination for thick glass cutting. An ultrashort pulse laser scribes the glass. This process needs high energy and may be delivered as a single pulse or a fast, high-energy burst. Then a CO2 laser supplies thermal energy to initiate cleaving along the scribed line. The glass is separated cleanly with little or no damage due to microcracking at the edge; curves, straight lines and closed contours are all possible.
Scribing metal foils
The constant drive towards miniaturisation in RFID and mobile device antennas calls for scribing of narrow lines close together whilst maintaining electrical isolation from one another. To ensure clean removal of the metal from the substrate, ultrashort pulse laser scribing selectively removes the conductive metal layer from a carrier or substrate material without damaging the surrounding area.
Cutting and drilling carbon fibre composites
Machining of carbon fibre composites for the automotive and aerospace industries evaporates the epoxy resin that binds the composite together and can result in de-lamination and matrix damage, tool wear and breakage. Conventional laser processing creates a heat-affected zone around the cut, exposing fibres and compromising the strength of the material. Cutting with an ultrashort pulse laser reduces heat diffusion, leaving the epoxy resin intact; holes are drilled, and features cut out without affecting the mechanical properties of the carbon fibre sheet.
Yannick Galais, Sales Director at Luxinar, explains: “Our ultrashort pulse laser developments in the IR, UV and green spectrums are opening opportunities in new applications, including glass separation, surface functionalisation, micro welding and micro-via drilling. Together with our established range of sealed CO2 laser sources, we offer customers the opportunity to work with our global teams to develop new applications and improve existing processes at a time to suit them.”
Contact: Yannick Galais