Laser Processes

Blueacre Technology has the capability to carry out a number of laser processes. Examples of these are shown below.

Laser cut mechanical parts in polymers, ceramics and metals

Cutting

The laser beam is scanned along a cutting profile a number of times to ablate material and effectively cut through the material stock. The components in the image to the left are cut from polymers, but Blueacre Technology can cut metals, ceramics and composite materials.
Laser drilling in polymers, ceramics and metals. Hole sizes down to 1 micron

Drilling

A series of holes drilled through the sidewall of 1mm diameter PEEK tubing. Holes can be drilled 'through' or 'blind' - where the hole does not pass all the way through the material.
The smallest hole in this image is 1 micron in diameter.
Laser cut slots down to 20 micron width in most materials

Slotting

Slotting refers to cutting a elongated opening. This image shows 200 micron wide slots cut in 1mm diameter PEEK polymer tube. Slot widths down to 20 microns are achievable.
3D laser milling to micron level feature sizes in metal, polymer and ceramics

Milling

Milling is the process of building up a 3 dimensional shape by removal of material. This is a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of microneedle arrays machined into a medical device. This device is 1mm in diameter.
Laser Marking on most materials, down to 200 micron character height. Logos and images can also be marked effectivly on most materials

Marking

Marking is the term used for laser etching letters, numbers, shapes and images onto a material. This image shows a lot/batch number marked on a 1mm diameter tube. The characters are 400 microns high (0.4mm)
See the Marking page in the applications section for more examples.
Prototype laser etching of Printed Circuit Boards (PCB)

Etching

Etching refers to the removal of areas of material. This can be used in a similar way to marking. This image shows the laser etching proccess used to produce a prototype Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for an electronic device.

Laser Milling is used to produce micromolds with micron level detail for the medical industry

Micromolding

Associated to laser milling, the micro molding process is used to produce 'negative' molds from which the end product can be molded. This image shows a microneedle array of 600 micron high needles produced from a micromold.

Laser welding can be carried out on most metals, and some polymers.

Welding

Some materials can be welded together by heating a localised point to cause the parts to fuse together. This image shows a Stainless Steel rod laser welded into 32 guage Stainless Steel tube