US4114018A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for ablating metal workpieces with laser radiation
Assignee: Lasag AG
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Filing: 1976-09-30
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Granted: 1978-09-12
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Expires: 1996-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A technique for ablating a metal workpiece by the use of laser beam radiation at an efficiency higher than heretofore possible and an improved regulation of the ablation process. Undesired side effects of the ablation process are eliminated by the entire and complete ejection of the molten metal at the point of beam impingement so that no material remains on the workpiece in the areas between contiguous points of ablation. The appropriate selection of beam intensity and the selection of pulse shape provide the inventive technique.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Von Allmen
- 👤 Hans Peter Schwob
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/005; H01S3/0057; B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/36; B23K26/361
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of ablating a metal workpiece comprising: establishing a beam of laser radiation having an intensity sufficient to cause vaporization and ejection of molten material created thereby but insufficient to create a plume or a plasma at a point of impingement on the workpiece; impinging the beam on the metal workpiece to cause vaporization and ejection of the molten material; maintaining a constant beam intensity while the beam impinges at the point of impingement on the workpiece; and terminating the intensity of the beam at a rapid rate so that substantially no ejected molten material impinges upon the workpiece.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of ablating a metal workpiece comprising: establishing a beam of laser radiation having an intensity sufficient to cause vaporization and ejection of molten material created thereby but insufficient to create a plume or a plasma at a point of impingement on the workpiece; impinging the beam on the metal workpiece to cause vaporization and ejection of the molten material; maintaining a constant beam intensity while the beam impinges at the point of impingement on the workpiece; and terminating the intensity of the beam at a rapid rate so that substantially no ejected molten material impinges upon the workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of terminating the beam is accomplished in a period of time 0.1 microseconds or less.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the intensity of the beam is approximately 10 7 W/cm 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the intensity of the beam is greater than 0.4 × 10 7 W/cm 2 , but less than 1.2 × 10 7 W/cm 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the laser beam is of a Gaussian shape to produce essentially round ablations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the beam is a TE 11 configuration to provide essentially rectangular ablations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of impinging and terminating the beam is accomplished by switching the established beam on and off at selected periods of time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 further including the step of successively applying the beam to the workpiece at the point of impingement to provide incremental ablations thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the intensity of the beam is approximately 1.0 × 10 7 W/cm 2 .
Claim 11
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of ablating a metal workpiece comprising: establishing a beam of laser radiation having an intensity sufficient to cause vaporization and ejection of molten material created thereby but insufficient to create a plume or a plasma at a point of impingement on the workpiece; impinging the beam on the metal workpiece to cause vaporization and ejection of the molten material; continuously increasing the intensity while the beam impinges upon the workpiece at the point of impingement to provide a deep ablation thereof; and terminating the intensity of the beam at a rapid rate so that substantially no ejected molten material impinges upon the workpiece.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of ablating a metal workpiece comprising: establishing a beam of laser radiation having an intensity sufficient to cause vaporization and ejection of molten material created thereby but insufficient to create a plume or a plasma at a point of impingement on the workpiece; impinging the beam on the metal workpiece to cause vaporization and ejection of the molten material; continuously increasing the intensity while the beam impinges upon the workpiece at the point of impingement to provide a deep ablation thereof; and terminating the intensity of the beam at a rapid rate so that substantially no ejected molten material impinges upon the workpiece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the step of terminating the beam is accomplished in the period of time 0.1 microseconds or less.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the intensity of the beam is approximately 10 7 W/cm 2 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the intensity of the beam is greater than 0.4 × 10 7 W/cm 2 , but less than 1.2 × 10 7 W/cm 2 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the laser beam is of a Gaussian shape to produce essentially round ablations.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the beam is a TEM 11 configuration to provide essentially rectangular ablations.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the step of impinging and terminating the beam is accomplished by switching the established beam on and off at selected periods of time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 10 further including the step of successively applying the beam to the workpiece at the point of impingement to provide incremental ablations thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the intensity of the beam is approximately 1.0 × 10 7 W/cm 2 .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-11 | 1982-03-13 | 1982-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-11 | 1986-03-13 | 1986-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-11 | 1990-03-13 | 1990-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |