Laser Drilling

The laser drilling process is an inexpensive alternative to mechanical drilling, punching, broaching and wire EDM. The laser process is very adaptable for small holes with large dept to diameter ratios. Laser drilling provides a repeatable, accurate hole that can be customized for all types of manufacturing industries.

To create holes with laser drilling, one of two processes is used. The first, known as “percussion drilling,” is performed by repeatedly pulsing the focused laser energy at a material surface, vaporizing layer by layer until a thru hole is created. For cylindrical parts like aerospace combustor liners a processes called DOF “drilling on the fly” is used where percussion holes are drilled while the part is in motion. The parts rotational position and speed are synchronized with the lasers firing producing a partial hole with every rotational pass. This process is continued until the desired hole is produced, this on the fly processes is quicker then static hole drilling by taking a portion of the hole to hole movement out of the parts cycle time. Standard hole sizes range from 0.005” to 0.035” for laser percussion drilling hole drilling.

If larger holes are required over 0.035” the holes would be conventionally cut or trepanned.

Trepanned laser drilling is a method used to remove a cylindrical core, or circular disc from a substrate. Unlike percussion laser drilling, the position of the beam or substrate is moved in conjunction with a predetermined hole size.

Laser drilling provides consistency for industries having manufacturing specifications that require tight tolerance for high depth-to-diameter ratios. The process can provide dynamic, “on-the-fly “changes of hole diameter, hole depth and edge quality. Shaped holes of almost unlimited geometry are now possible producing unique benefits previously unobtainable by conventional processing techniques.

Laser drilling is a very fast and accurate process that offers many benefits and lends itself well to automation. The process is very competitive to conventional drilling techniques and easily outpaces these processes where high volume drilling is required.

In these highly competitive markets, keeping costs low while increasing quality can be a tremendous asset. Laser drilling provides these benefits.

Precision laser drilling services for various aerospace companies including Boeing, General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, Honeywell and Rolls Royce. Experts laser drilling many super alloys including Inconel 625 and 718, Waspaloy, Titanium 62 and 6242, Aluminum.