Precision drilling of spinnerets
Precision drilling of spinnerets
Freedom of design in hole geometry
Smallest drill holes for finest fibres
Due to the good focusability of the ultrashort pulse laser, smallest holes can be drilled in any material with great freedom of design in the hole geometries.
There are no limits to the transversal or longitudinal hole shape. Whether you need to generate super microfibers, replace standard processes to achieve shorter processing times or design completely new hole geometries - ultrafast lasers make it possible!
There are no limits to the transversal or longitudinal hole shape. Whether you need to generate super microfibers, replace standard processes to achieve shorter processing times or design completely new hole geometries - ultrafast lasers make it possible!
Unexpected geometric freedom in hole design
Laser drilled holes in spinnerets
offer smaller cross sections as well as novel geometries, which are not possible with today's common manufacturing methods such as piercing. The mechanical loads on the piercing tool are limiting during piercing. The ultrashort pulse laser as a force-free tool is not affected by such mechanical limitations. Novel fiber cross sections as well as the further reduction of the fiber diameter become possible.
Production of spinnerets
The production of spinnerets usually goes beyond pure micro-drilling with the ultrashort pulse laser. Depending on the requirements, a preceding milling operation may also be necessary. Machining with the ultrashort pulse laser is subject to limitations with regard to the maximum machinable material thickness and the aspect ratio of the hole. Depending on the required hole diameters and necessary material thicknesses, a combination of milling and laser machining may be appropriate. LightPulse
LASER PRECISION offers not only micro-drilling with the ultrashort pulse laser, but also complementary milling machining. In this way, spinnerets can be produced which, due to the greater material thickness, can be subjected to significantly higher pressures than thinner spinnerets. This significantly expands the range of applications for laser-produced micro-holes.
The advantages of drilling of spinnerets with ultrafast lasers are:
Hole diameters smaller than 20 µm
are possible due to the good focusability of the laser beam.
Aspect ratios (Depth divided by diameter) of up to 20 are possible.
Sharp edges of the rim without burrs or spatters.
Freedom of geometry of the hole in drilling direction (longitudinal). Cylindrical, conical or negative conical hole geometries can be realized. It is also possible to combine such geometries.
Freedom of geometry of the hole perpendicular to the drilling direction (transversal). By combining the movements of the laser beam and the workpiece, any hole geometry can be realised. It is possible to generate round, elliptical as well as arbitrary free forms like trilobal or star-shape geometries.
Minimal thermal damage. Due to the high intensity of ultrafst lasers, the material is directly evaporated. Hence, there is pratically no heat input.
Freedom of material. Metals as well as ceramics and glass can be drilled with ultrafast lasers. Noble metals like gold or platinum and other metals such as brass, copper, aluminum or stainless steel can be used to manufacture spinnerets.
Aspect ratios (Depth divided by diameter) of up to 20 are possible.
Sharp edges of the rim without burrs or spatters.
Freedom of geometry of the hole in drilling direction (longitudinal). Cylindrical, conical or negative conical hole geometries can be realized. It is also possible to combine such geometries.
Freedom of geometry of the hole perpendicular to the drilling direction (transversal). By combining the movements of the laser beam and the workpiece, any hole geometry can be realised. It is possible to generate round, elliptical as well as arbitrary free forms like trilobal or star-shape geometries.
Minimal thermal damage. Due to the high intensity of ultrafst lasers, the material is directly evaporated. Hence, there is pratically no heat input.
Freedom of material. Metals as well as ceramics and glass can be drilled with ultrafast lasers. Noble metals like gold or platinum and other metals such as brass, copper, aluminum or stainless steel can be used to manufacture spinnerets.
Exemplary bore holes and spinnerets (Detail views)
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LASER PRECISION 2023