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Ceramic Scribing and Machining • LaTITE™ • Plug-Free Vias • Processing Ceramics Guide
 State-of-the-art laser machining is fast, flexible and cost effective in ceramics. Laser machining is chosen when tight tolerances are required that can't be achieved by green punched and fired ceramic. Lasers are also specified for ceramic when small hole diameters and delicate cut patterns need to be achieved.
Laser machining is nothing more than just cutting with a miniature computer controlled torch. Focused laser light is used as the heat source to both melt and vaporize material in its path. This results in a very narrow and consistent path or "kerf". Laser drilling is the process of repeatedly pulsing focused laser energy at a material, vaporizing layer by layer until a thru-hole is created. This is what is called a "popped" or "percussion drilled" hole, and can be done in a few milliseconds. A hole as small as .002" in diameter, can be drilled in a wide range of ceramic thicknesses. If a larger hole is required, the laser, once through the material, is moved with respect to the work piece to contour the desired diameter. This is called "trepanning". The end result is a fast, cost effective way to produce precision, quality holes.
- No drill breakage or tool wear - Due to the non-contact process.
- Unlimited hole sizes and shapes - Due to the programming flexibility.
- Cost competitive - Due to the fast drilling cycles and no consumable costs.
- Fast inexpensive prototypes - Due to little or no hard tooling.
 - Rapid design changes - Due to programming flexibility.
- Intricate part cutting ability - Due to narrow "kerf" width.
- Efficient part nesting capability - Due to narrow "kerf" width and programming flexibility.
- Ceramic substrates for hybrid circuits in automotive applications.
- Ceramic substrates for commercial hybrid electronic applications.
- Small diameter and high density holes for hearing aid circuitry.
- Small laptop computer power supply circuits.
- Commercial and military microwave applications.
- Cellular telephone circuits.
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