Dedicated micro machining facilities are ready for feasibility trials, R&D, process development, sub-contract manufacture & Job Shop.
Laser micromachining is a very powerful method for the production of micro-parts or micro-features on larger parts. Feature sizes down to 1 micron can be produced in the right circumstances and holes or features of 5 microns and above are routine. Oxford Lasers has a number of state of the art micromachining systems that are available for R&D or sub-contract manufacture. These systems are designed to be flexible so that many different processes can be investigated.
The laser systems can be used for micromachining, micro-drilling, micro-cutting, precision machining, fine cutting, microfabrication, ablation studies, MEMS, scribing, etching, marking, engraving and milling. Laser micro machining can often be a more cost-effective alternative to techniques such as micro EDM.
In most cases laser micromachining works best if the feature to be produced is less than 1 mm in depth. For example, micro-hole drilling is normally limited to materials less than 1.5 mm thick and aspect ratios less than 30:1. In special circumstances or particular materials, deeper or higher aspect ratio holes can be drilled
The Applications Laboratories and Job Shop facilities play a vital role in showing customers exactly what is possible with modern, laser-based, micromachining technology. With a variety of wavelengths and pulse durations available, the correct source can be selected for the job in had. Our experienced staff then build on standard processes to produce the part or feature required. Once the process has been optimised, parts can be produced in whatever quantity is required. Sometimes this may be a single part for R&D purposes or it can be sub-contract production / job shop work where thousands of parts are required each month.
When production vlolumes are high, sub-contract manufacturing can prove uneconomic. For these customers, we can provide full micromachining systems. Normally this will be one of our standard systems, but these may be customised to incorporate any special processes developed during the process development or sub-contract phases.
To discuss your requirements with an Applications Specialist Contact Us.
Learn about the various micro-machining applications that we are able to carry out.