What is laser ablation?

Laser ablation refers to the removal of material using laser technology. The surface of a workpiece is vaporized in a focused manner using pulsed laser radiation. The process is therefore also known as laser vaporization and is suitable for high-precision structuring and texturing of surfaces. Another way of looking at the term laser ablation is to consider it as the actual “basic process” that takes place when the laser beam interacts with the workpiece. The optimization of the process then results accordingly in the various applications, such as engraving, cutting, drilling or decoating.

Which lasers can be used for laser ablation?

Different types of laser can be used for laser ablation, depending on the material and the desired result. The range of materials extends from metals, ceramics, plastics and polymers to glass. The Ultra Short Pulse Lasers used by ACSYS guarantee precise results with maximum reproducibility in series production.

In most cases, nanosecond lasers are used for laser ablation. The short laser pulses make it possible to heat the material and generate plasma from ions and electrons of the processed material. Due to the high power density of the laser, the ions in the plasma are accelerated in such a way that the ablated material is vaporized. At the same time, the material inside is not heated up too much. Only a focused area in a thin layer on the surface is heated with high energy for an extremely short period of time so that the plasma required for vaporization is created.

Ablation with pico- and femtosecond lasers uses lasers with an ultra-short pulse duration, hence the term Ultra Short Pulse Laser (USPL). This type of laser processing is also known as “cold ablation” because the energy input into the material is significantly lower than when processing with a nanosecond laser. With pulse durations ranging from picoseconds to femtoseconds, Ultra Short Pulse Lasers allow unprecedented control over the energy transferred to the material. This enables laser ablation of the finest structures on almost any material without causing thermal damage.

For which industries is laser ablation suitable?

Laser ablation is a surface treatment process that is both precise and gentle. The short laser pulses only heat the top layer of the material, while the rest of the workpiece remains cool. With the help of ACSYS laser systems, our ACSYS proprietary software and our expertise in processes, materials and laser technology, laser ablation is suitable for almost all industries in which material needs to be precisely ablated.

Laser ablation with LFR^® in the automotive industry

With the help of Large Field Removal (LFR), you can process 3D components with a surface area of up to 1,250 mm × 1,250 mm with a laser in one piece without a single approach. LFR^® is always suitable where large working areas are required. The entire working area is covered by the laser without axis movement in the X and Y directions. This makes it possible to create innovative designs for products, components and design elements for the interior and exterior of cars that are not possible with conventional processes.

Household appliances: Laser ablation for front panels

Exposure to heat, moisture or cleaning agents is a challenge for the design of front panels for household appliances. Laser ablation can be used to create backlit front panels for all types of household appliances that go far beyond the possibilities of conventional printing technology.

Is laser ablation environmentally friendly?

Laser ablation is a non-contact process in which the workpiece is not subject to any mechanical stress. This means that even small or delicate parts can be processed, or the finest structures and patterns realized. In addition, material removal using laser technology offers a sustainable and efficient alternative to previous methods, such as the chemical processing of components. Laser ablation helps to reduce the CO₂ footprint of production and save valuable resources by conserving materials and increasing energy efficiency.

Core competence laser ablation

Convince yourself of the many possibilities offered by laser ablation with ACSYS laser systems. Our many years of expertise in materials, systems and lasers have made us a technological pioneer in the field of laser micromachining since 2003. Customers all over the world rely on high-precision laser technology from ACSYS to achieve new designs or functionalities in their products with targeted surface ablation. You too can benefit from our expertise as a technology leader, especially for Femtosecond Lasers and Large Field Removal (LFR).