Glass processing 
The rising demand for precise manufacturing across sectors has highlighted the need for advanced technologies, particularly in glass processing. Femtosecond lasers, with their ultrashort pulses, offer a revolutionary approach to accurately manipulating glass without the thermal damage typically associated with longer pulse lasers. This precision is crucial for creating complex shapes, achieving tight tolerances, and producing superior surface finishes that are essential in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and microelectronics.
In glass processing, femtosecond lasers enable precise cutting with clean, burr-free edges, significantly reducing or even eliminating the need for post-processing. When applied to drilling, these lasers excel at producing holes with high aspect ratios and smooth sidewalls, which are often required in advanced manufacturing applications. Additionally, in surface structuring, femtosecond lasers can create intricate textures on glass at both the micro and nano scales, enhancing the functional properties of the material, such as hydrophobicity, adhesion, or optical characteristics. This versatility makes femtosecond lasers indispensable in modern glass processing, enabling a broad range of applications that push the boundaries of innovation.
Ultrashort pulse (USP) lasers, in particular, have transformed the glass manufacturing landscape, achieving precise cuts and intricate modifications with remarkable efficiency. These innovations minimize the need for post-processing, allow for complex designs, and ultimately reduce production costs. USP lasers are capable of creating detailed features and smooth finishes, making them ideal for a variety of applications, including the production of anti-reflective surfaces and microfluidic devices. Their adaptability across different types of glass benefits numerous industries by improving both the appearance and functionality of glass components.
The Indylit 10 and Indylit 20 lasers stands out for high-quality glass work, offering tunable parameters (pulse rate, energy, duration, burst mode) and wavelengths (1030 nm, 515 nm) suitable for diverse materials. Its designs ensures ease of integration and maintenance, underscoring its manufacturing significance.
As we delve into real-life applications like glass grooving and micro-hole drilling, our Indylit 10 laser illustrates its pivotal role in pushing the boundaries of glass manufacturing technology.
Glass grooving with femtosecond laser
Glass grooving example. Image shows 200 μm width and 300 μm depth grooves made using Indylit 10 laser. The substrates prepared this way are parts of microfluidic devices which were later glass-to-glass welded using the same Indylit laser.
Courtesy of Workshop of Photonics.
Micro-holes drilling in glass substrate
The matrix of microholes drilled in the 500 μm thickness fused silica glass plate with the Indylit 10 laser. Holes diameter is 300 μm and taper <1°. This through-glass vias (TGV) technology enables manufacturing of ultra-miniaturized, fully hermetic sensors and MEMS devices.
Courtesy of Femtika.
Application case using Indylit 10
