| Abstract [eng] |
In recent years, the use of laser technologies in high-quality glass and metal component fabrication is proliferating. The laser allows achieving higher precision processing and reduces manufacturing waste. Furthermore, as the devices shrink in size with technology advancing, the need for small-sized components, such as optical elements made from glass, is growing rapidly. Additionally, the demand for high-quality metallic moulds or metal surfaces with unique properties (hydrophobicity, reduced surface friction) is increasing. New ultra-short pulsed lasers offer high average power at high-pulse repetition rates allowing fast and high-quality production of materials. However, cutting speed and ablation efficiency frequently suffers from heat accumulation in the material. Laser parameters are usually limited to avoid overheating or generating cracks in heat-affected zones, depending on the material. Furthermore, excessive laser power can also lead to glass fractures. Also, the processing efficiency can suffer from slow debris removal rate and excessive plasma formation. Fortunately, studies have shown that the introduced water layer onto the surface of the workpiece can improve both the laser processing quality and cutting speed of various materials. In this work, picosecond lasers working at 1064 nm and 355 nm wavelengths were used to evaluate the direct laser ablation efficiency and processing quality of borosilicate and silicate glasses and stainless-steel samples in ambient air and water-assisted environments. First, laser parameters were optimized for ablation of both glass types and stainless steel. Results showed that the applied water layer improved the ablation efficiency and cutting rate. Borosilicate glass ablation was more efficient and faster using the 1064 nm wavelength. Furthermore, findings revealed that the ablation efficiency increase provided by the water layer did not depend on the depth or the width of the groove and remained constant (0.21 for borosilicate glass and 0.015 for stainless steel). |
