Ultrafast Lasers for Medical Manufacturing

Ultrafast or ultrashort pulse lasers offer unique material processing possibilities, because the laser’s pulse duration is less than the target material’s conduction time. Essentially this means that cold machining of parts is possible — with material being removed by sublimation. This vaporization machining method offers advantages that simply cannot be produced by any other processes, including near zero heat affect; minimal burring and debris, which reduces or eliminates post processing; high-dimensional accuracy; and the ability to produce high-quality small features in metals, plastics, ceramic, and glass. However, these systems are expensive, so the laser and system choice must be carefully considered.