Laser Milling of the Intractable Materials

In comparison with high-speed cutting and electrical discharge machining, laser milling is the most universal method for shaping of any type of materials (including natural and artificial diamonds, alloys etc.).The investigation of laser milling was done using Q-switched YAG laser. It was found that the highest productivity and quality of the processing of super-hard materials (when the material is removed layer-by-layer) could be achieved when laser milling is done without the formation of liquid phase or when its quality is minimal (artificial diamonds, borazon).The main reason for the low quality of milling of super-hard materials is uncontrollable surface roughness that is formed when liquid phase is expelled from the hole that is formed under the influence of laser beam. The height of micro-roughness of the processed surface is equal to the thickness of the removed layer. That is why at laser milling of super-hard materials, stainless steels and other similar materials it is recommended to use special techniques that are based on the constant shift of the focusing spot (from layer to layer) according to a specific algorithm.