Abstract:
An object of the present invention is to, in methods of processing metal plates and lead frames, enable workpieces to be finely processed into a satisfactory configuration with high dimensional accuracy without suffering the effect of heat produced under irradiation of a laser beam. According to the present invention, resist films (1) are first coated on both surfaces of a metal plate (1), and a laser beam (202) is then irradiated to the metal plate (101) from surfaces of the resist films (1) to form a multiplicity of discontinuous through holes (3) in line, while leaving joints (6) as not-processed portions between the adjacent through holes (3). Openings (2) formed in each resist film (1) by the laser cutting are joined with each other to serve as an etching pattern. Next, etching is carried out to etch side walls (6) defining the through holes and also to remove the joints (6), thereby interconnecting the through holes (3) formed in line to form a gap (303a) of a desired shape. Instead of forming the through holes (3) and the joints (6) in the metal plate (101) by irradiating the laser beam (202), non-penetrating cut grooves (51) may be formed in the metal plate (101) with a joint (52) left as a non-processed portion at the bottoms of the cut grooves, followed by removing the joint by etching.
Abstract:
A laser drilling process capable of producing a plurality of holes in a pharmaceutical dosage form, at high speed, is presented. The process utilizes a digital laser marking system (DigiMark.TM. variable marking system) to produce an unlimited number of holes through the surface or coating of a dosage form, at rates up to 100,000 units or more per hour.
Abstract:
Pulsed light sources, such as a flashlamp or laser, remove coatings from substrates via the ablation method. A photodetector circuit, sensing reflected light from the surface being ablated, provides a feedback signal that indicates the reflected color intensity of the surface being ablated. The boundary between the coatings or substrate surfaces is distinguished by a change in color intensity between an upper coating and an undercoating, e.g., between a topcoat of paint and a primer coat of paint, or between a coating and the substrate surface itself. The color intensity determination thus provides a measure relative to when one coating has been removed and another coating remains. The photodetector circuit is also useful for providing feedback information relative to the quality of a stripped work surface for quality control or other purposes.
Abstract:
A method of machining a diamond workpiece by a laser beam in which a metallic membrane or layer is formed on at least one surface of the workpiece before the workpiece is subjected to the machining operation. The metallic membrane or layer is preferably formed on both side surfaces of a plate-like diamond workpiece. The workpiece machined according to the present invention has a good appearance without cracks and splinters, and a smooth cut surface.
Abstract:
A transfer apparatus includes a transfer member, for example, a transfer drum with a line of small closely spaced laser drilled vacuum holes to hold a receiving sheet to the drum surface. To maintain the continuity of a transfer field but be free from clogging, the holes are narrow near the surface of the drum but wider as they extend deeper in the drum.Conical holes are drilled in the drum by a laser. In one embodiment, a short focal length lens focuses a laser bear near the surface of the drum which beam spreads below the surface to form a conical hole.
Abstract:
An excimer laser is used to ablate the surface of an article to provide it with a drag-reduction pattern (e.g. a series of riblets). The article may be a painted article and the drag reduction pattern may be formed in the paint layer. A method is also disclosed in which paint is removed from a painted article using an excimer laser, as a prepatory step for repainting the article.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for controlling the milling of an ablatable material and the like from substrate is disclosed. Embodiments for controlling the milling of ablatable materials and the like by pulses of high intensity radiant energy are described. The control process is accomplished by generating an electronic signal representative of the substrate surface topology through use of a structured light or other three dimensional mapping system and feeding the signal to a system control unit. By applying pre-programmed criteria regarding the final desired surface to the generated electronic signal, an electronic reference signal indicative of the dimensional coordinates of the final desired surface may be generated. An ablatable coating is then applied to a height sufficiently above the final desired surface to permit a milling off of the excess coating to produce the desired final surface topology. In the milling process the mapping system is used as a real-time feedback control mechanism for directing a laser. By scanning the surface ahead of the laser, the mapping system generates a new electronic signal representative of the coated surface topology, and this signal is compared to the desired-topology reference signal. At each spot where the comparison indicates the coated surface is above the final desired surface, the controller will order the laser to fire upon that spot, and this is reiterated until the surface features fall within the prescribed limits.
Abstract:
A shaped member of welded pieces of sheet metal of different thickness, more particularly having a metallic anti-corrosion protection, for example of zinc, on at least one side, wherein the pieces of sheet metal are joined to one another by a laser-beam-butt-welding process and shaped as a unit.
Abstract:
A laser or other source of radiant electromagnetic energy removes optically transparent material (e.g., LiNbO.sub.3) to form various structures. To enhance coupling the radiant energy to the optical material, a layer of an ablative absorber (e.g., a metal or organic material) can be used. Alternately, the radiant source can be initially operated above a threshold that causes removal of a surface layer of the optical material. After selectively thus removing a surface layer of the optical material, subsequent sub-threshold applications of radiant energy remove additional optical material due to a change in the underlying material, rendering it more absorptive at the wavelength of the electromagnetic energy. Optical devices, including waveguides, can be formed, as well as isolation grooves, alignment structures, etc.
Abstract:
1,114,857. Welding by fusion. K. H. STEIGERWALD. 4 May, 1965 [6 May, 1964], No. 18663/65. Heading B3R. In electron beam or like, e.g. light or laser, welding filler metal in the form of wire, strip, powder or liquid is fed to the seam and is heated adjacent the weld zone by an arc, a second beam, or the same beam as heats the weld zone. In the latter case, the beam is deflected from the weld zone to the filler material or the weld zone and the filler material are heated by different portions of the beam. The filler wire may be transversely oscillated. The filler material is welded to a higher temperature than the weld zone to assist in the transfer of molten metal. An electric field may be set up more positively to transfer the molten metal. The work and the filler material are fed continuously. In one modification, the filler is fed in horizontally and the work is lowered vertically to effect a vertical weld with gravity assisted metal transfer. The method may be used for cladding, for V-groove welding or for parallel-sided gap welding using one or more passes. The filler wire or strip is fed at an acute angle or perpendicularly into the gap and may be fed centrally or into contact with one of the workpieces. When a single beam is used deflected from the weld zone to the filler material, the relative heat inputs may be controlled by intensity duration or focusing. A continuous or pulsed beam may be used. The beam may be oscillated from side-to-side of the gap, and at each end of its oscillation it impinges in part on the filler wire and in part on the work.