Study of laser carving three-dimensional structures on ceramics: Quality controlling and mechanisms

Three-dimensional (3D) laser carving is a new, very flexible process and is very useful for machining the hard and/or brittle materials such as ceramics, carbide and hardened steel with high precision, excellent productivity and surface quality. In this paper, the effects of laser processing parameters on single-layer carving depth and surface quality are analyzed by laser carving on an Al2O3 ceramic with different processing parameters. The mechanisms of laser carving are also studied. A mathematical model of the relationship between the laser processing parameters and the laser carving depth is established, which is useful in obtaining the best machining parameters with the shortest time. Finally, a 3D pattern is successfully carved using the optimum parameters.