Control of Hole Size and Precision During Laser Drilling with Laser Cutting Machines

I. Aperture Size Control

Using lasers with small divergence angles (0.001–0.003 rad), shortening the focal length, or reducing output energy enables the production of small apertures. For materials with high melting points and good thermal conductivity, micro-hole processing with apertures ranging from 0.01 to 1 mm can be achieved, with the smallest aperture reaching 0.001 mm.

II. Hole Depth Control

Increasing laser output energy, employing appropriate pulse widths (shorter pulses are preferable for materials with higher thermal conductivity), and utilizing fundamental mode operation (single-mode with Gaussian intensity distribution) can achieve greater hole depths. For deep holes with small apertures, multiple laser passes are recommended, using a short-focal-length objective (15–30 mm) for drilling.

III. Improving Roundness of Laser-Processed Holes

Employing fundamental mode laser processing, using an achromatic objective lens with its optical axis aligned with the laser beam, positioning the workpiece slightly offset from the focal point, and selecting appropriate laser energy levels can all enhance roundness.

IV. Reducing Hole Taper

Typically, hole taper increases with the hole diameter ratio. Measures to reduce taper include: using appropriate laser output energy or multiple low-energy irradiations, employing shorter focal lengths, selecting lenses with lower refractive indices, and minimizing the angle between the incident beam and the optical axis.

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