Laser fabrication of diamond micro-cutting tool-related geometries using a high-numerical aperture micro-scanning system

The machining of micro-geometries requires a corresponding micro-cutting tool. Up to now, industry primarily fabricates such tools by grinding or electrical discharge machining. In this paper, an overview of the direct laser fabrication of micro-cutting tool-related geometries on polycrystalline diamond composites and single crystal diamond is presented. This is made possible using picosecond laser pulses operating at second harmonics and a micro-scanning deflection system exhibiting a high-numerical aperture. The generated geometries are inspected using scanning electron microscopy while quality of the cutting edge radius and graphitisation is investigated. The laser ablation process is further enhanced by demonstrating the feasibility of a sequential roughing and finishing strategy.ISSN:0268-3768ISSN:1433-301