Polishing

Overview

Our range of services

Polishing with laser radiation is based on the remelting of a thin surface layer of the workpiece and smoothing of the surface due to the interfacial tension. The innovation of laser polishing lies in the fundamentally different mode of action (remelting) compared to conventional grinding and polishing processes (ablation). The process is suitable for many metals, glasses and thermoplastics.

Depending on the material and the initial roughness, this process generally achieves a roughness on metals in the range of Ra = 0.1 to 0.4 μm. On optical glass, a roughness of Ra <1 nm is even possible.

Possible applications are with metals in e.g. mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, tool and mold making and medical technology. For glass, the main application is in processing aspheres and freeform optics. In the case of plastics, printed components are especially interesting. The special advantages of the laser-based process are the automated processing of complex 3D surfaces with high process speed.

Microfluidics made of fused silica (5x5x7 mm^3) manufactured by SLE (left) and laser-polished (right).
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Microfluidics made of fused silica (5x5x7 mm^3) manufactured by SLE (left) and laser-polished (right).
Laser-polished active surface cutout of a slide for die casting.
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Laser-polished active surface cutout of a slide for die casting.
Laser-polished sphere made of BK7 (radius of curvature 30 mm).
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Laser-polished sphere made of BK7 (radius of curvature 30 mm).

Applications Metals

  • Tools, dies and mold making
  • Implants
  • Design surfaces with multi gloss level
  • Polished and structured surfaces
  • Further applications

Applications Optics

  • Aspheric and free-form optics made from glass and fused silica
  • Spectacle lenses made from plastics

Laser Polishing Machines

  • Machine tools for laser polishing of metals, glasses and plastics
  • Concepts for machines with work piece weights from 0.1 to 200 kg
  • 5+3-axis processing (axes system and laser scanner)
  • CAM-NC data chain for 5+3-axis processing
  • Fully automated polishing

Your Application

  • Feasibility studies
  • Test and adaption of laser polishing for your application
  • Processing of test parts
  • Processing of small series

Markets

Laser technology can solve demanding tasks in many different industries. Whether as a tool in automotive production, as measuring equipment in the environmental sector, as a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument in medical technology or as a communication medium in space technology, the laser provides multiple uses with high productivity and high efficiency.

Read up about the innovations of the Fraunhofer ILT in a few selected industries and convince yourself!

 

Research with us!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about general topics! Our contact persons are happy to get in touch with you.