Laser augmented diamond drilling apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method of machining a hard and/or brittle material, the method comprising:
- directing a laser beam into at least a portion of a light-transmitting cutting tool comprising a solid light-transmitting material having at least one cutting edge formed by the solid light-transmitting material at an intersection of a rake face and a flank face whereby the laser beam enters the solid light-transmitting material, is transmitted through the solid light-transmitting material, and exits the solid light-transmitting material through at least one of the cutting edge, the rake face, and the flank face;
bringing the solid light-transmitting material of the cutting edge into moving contact with a surface of a hard and/or brittle material whereby the laser beam heats the surface and softens the material adjacent the surface.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A laser beam is transmitted through a drill bit comprising diamond or other suitable light-transmitting material having sufficient hardness. The laser beam exits a tip of the drill bit, thereby heating and softening the material being drilled at and/or near the interface of the drill with the material being drilled. The process may be utilized to drill hard and brittle materials such as ceramics and semiconductors, composites and ceramic matrix composites. The process may cause high pressure phase transformation, resulting in a more ductile and plastic material near the drill point/tip. The process provides more rapid drilling, improved surface quality in drilled holes, and less tool wear.
22 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of machining a hard and/or brittle material, the method comprising:
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directing a laser beam into at least a portion of a light-transmitting cutting tool comprising a solid light-transmitting material having at least one cutting edge formed by the solid light-transmitting material at an intersection of a rake face and a flank face whereby the laser beam enters the solid light-transmitting material, is transmitted through the solid light-transmitting material, and exits the solid light-transmitting material through at least one of the cutting edge, the rake face, and the flank face; bringing the solid light-transmitting material of the cutting edge into moving contact with a surface of a hard and/or brittle material whereby the laser beam heats the surface and softens the material adjacent the surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A laser-assisted machining system, comprising:
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a laser source; a movable cutting tool having first and second opposite ends, the second end having at least one cutting edge, and wherein the cutting edge of the cutting tool comprises a substantially solid light-transmitting material; wherein the laser source is configured to direct a laser beam from the laser source into the substantially solid light-transmitting material of the cutting tool whereby the laser beam is transmitted through the light-transmitting material and exits the substantially solid light-transmitting material at the second end of the cutting tool and heats a material being machined by the cutting edge of the movable cutting tool wherein the cutting tool comprises a drill bit having at least one cutting edge comprising a light-transmitting diamond material. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A drill bit assembly comprising:
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a metal body portion having a passageway; a drill bit comprising a solid light-transmitting material and having a light-receiving surface formed by the solid light-transmitting material and at least one elongated light-transmitting cutting edge formed by the solid light-transmitting material, wherein the light-receiving surface is in optical communication with the passageway such that a laser beam can be directed through the passageway into the light-receiving surface and through the solid light-transmitting material of the drill bit, whereby the laser beam exits the solid light-transmitting material at the at least one cutting edge. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification