Blog Details

In rapidly developing industries such as healthcare, aerospace, semiconductors, and new energy, the demand for high precision, efficiency, and material quality is continuously increasing. Traditional cutting and processing methods often struggle to meet the high standards required by these industries. In response to these challenges, water-guided laser processing technology has emerged as an innovative cutting method. With its distinct advantages, it is quickly becoming a key technology in modern manufacturing.

1. Introduction to Water-guided Laser Technology

Water-guided laser processing technology is an advanced, efficient, and environmentally friendly laser-based cutting technique. The core principle of this technology involves using high-pressure water streams as a medium to guide the laser beam precisely to the material's surface during the cutting process. This method not only improves processing accuracy but also significantly reduces thermal damage, improving the surface quality of materials. It is a powerful supplement to traditional laser cutting techniques.

1.1 Technology Principle and Mechanism

The key to water-guided laser processing lies in coupling the laser beam with a fine water stream. The water stream acts as a "fiber" to guide the laser beam accurately to the processing area. Additionally, the cooling effect of the water stream helps to avoid overheating of the material, thus reducing thermal distortion or heat-affected zones during processing. Through this method, water-guided laser technology enables high-precision processing without damaging the material, offering improved efficiency and reduced material waste.

1.2 Advantages over Traditional Laser Processing

Compared to traditional laser processing, water-guided laser technology offers several significant advantages:

• Reduced Heat-affected Zone (HAZ): The cooling effect of the water stream helps prevent excessive heating during processing, significantly reducing the size of the heat-affected zone and preventing material distortion or residual stresses.

• Higher Processing Precision: Since the laser is guided by water, it can achieve extremely precise cutting and processing, making it ideal for high-precision applications.

• Improved Surface Quality: Water-guided lasers can minimize melt residues and burrs, improving the surface finish of the processed material.

• Reduced Material Waste: Water-guided lasers can efficiently process complex shapes with high precision, significantly reducing material waste.

2. Origin and Development of Water-guided Laser Technology

The concept of water-guided laser technology was first proposed by the German company Aesculap in 1986. The initial devices were relatively simple, with only a small stream of water added to the laser exit. In 1991, Lasag AG further advanced the technology by focusing the laser inside the nozzle, creating the first true water-guided laser. This breakthrough was commercialized in 1997 by Synova SA, marking the beginning of its industrial applications.

In the 21st century, water-guided laser technology gained more attention globally, especially in high-precision applications. With further research and development in domestic laboratories, researchers began exploring its potential in various industries, particularly for high-difficulty materials processing.

3. Applications of Water-guided Laser Technology

Water-guided laser technology, with its unique advantages, has demonstrated significant potential in a wide range of industries.

3.1 Semiconductor and Electronics Industry

Water-guided laser technology has made considerable progress in the semiconductor industry. It is widely used in wafer scribing, wafer cutting, and the processing of small electronic components. Water-guided lasers are especially suited for processing hard and brittle materials like silicon (Si) and silicon carbide (SiC), avoiding the material damage associated with traditional mechanical processing and minimizing thermal impacts caused by traditional laser cutting.

3.2 Medical Device Manufacturing

In the medical device industry, water-guided laser technology has proven invaluable. Its non-contact processing method helps to avoid contamination and material damage, especially when manufacturing surgical instruments and implants. The cooling effect of the water stream reduces thermal damage, ensuring that the material retains its biocompatibility, and improving the safety and reliability of medical devices.

3.3 Aerospace

The aerospace industry demands extremely high processing accuracy and quality, particularly for materials that are difficult to process. Water-guided laser technology has excelled in processing aerospace components, such as high-temperature engine parts, turbine blade cooling holes, and ceramic matrix composite (CMC) blades. By adjusting the laser parameters, water-guided lasers can effectively process different materials, addressing challenges that traditional processing techniques cannot overcome.

3.4 Gemstone Processing

In the gemstone processing industry, water-guided laser technology has shown remarkable benefits. Traditional cutting methods generate large amounts of dust and can cause damage to gemstones. Water-guided lasers, however, continuously cool the cutting area with a fine water stream, reducing the risk of damage to the gemstone. Additionally, the technology ensures that the cutting surface is free from tapering, cracks, and flaws, thus maximizing gemstone utilization.

4. Technical Challenges and Future Prospects

Although water-guided laser technology has shown enormous potential in various applications, several challenges remain to be addressed before it can be more widely adopted. The high cost of water-guided laser equipment limits its use in some smaller enterprises. Additionally, further optimization and stabilization of the technology are required, especially in the processing of different materials, to ensure consistent results.

However, with continuous advancements in laser technology and increased investment from both domestic and international companies, water-guided laser technology is expected to see broader adoption in the coming years. Its future applications are particularly promising in aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, medical devices, and other high-precision fields.

5. Conclusion

Water-guided laser technology, with its high efficiency, precision, and minimal thermal damage, is gradually transforming multiple industries' processing capabilities. Compared to traditional laser processing, water-guided lasers offer superior performance in terms of accuracy, material preservation, and surface quality. As the technology matures and domestic production capabilities improve, water-guided laser technology will undoubtedly play a crucial role in advancing precision manufacturing across a variety of industries.