Cutting Glass with Laser in Free-Form Shape

Michael Degel, Jenoptik Automatisierungstechnik GmbH

This article discusses the latest developments and possibilities of industrial processing brittle materials (e.g. glass) with a laser beam.

New applications in the field of glass processing with laser require new ideas. Therefore one of the newest innovation is the free-form cut which was a challenge in adjusting the optics, laser beam, software, focus and cooling all together to a perfect working process unit. The laser focus on the glass surface in addition to the cooling had to be small enough to enable small radii. However, the main task was to create a cut in the glass that has the same starting and end-point and a clean and micro crack free cutting edge. Main task in processing glass in a free-form cut is to ensure that the cooling is still at the right angle and distance behind the laser beam, even in small radii. This technology was developed to an industrial stage and is possible to implement in existing production processes with all the advantages a laser cut glass has (micro crack free, no glass dust, no splinters, clean-room applicable,..)

Using the same technology, it is possible to process glass direct on the float line, display glass, very thin glass, ceramics, semiconductors and other brittle material.

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The Authors

Mr. Michael Degel Jenoptik Automatisierungtechnik GmbH Read more