{"id":695299,"date":"2025-10-17T09:45:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T06:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/structuring-and-polishing-hard-material-components-with-laser-pulses-in-a-single-clamping-operation\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T09:45:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T06:45:14","slug":"structuring-and-polishing-hard-material-components-with-laser-pulses-in-a-single-clamping-operation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/structuring-and-polishing-hard-material-components-with-laser-pulses-in-a-single-clamping-operation\/","title":{"rendered":"Structuring and polishing hard material components with laser pulses in a single clamping operation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2f00bddb681\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2f00bddb681\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/structuring-and-polishing-hard-material-components-with-laser-pulses-in-a-single-clamping-operation\/#USP_lasers_work_where_mechanical_processes_reach_their_limits\" >USP lasers work where mechanical processes reach their limits<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/structuring-and-polishing-hard-material-components-with-laser-pulses-in-a-single-clamping-operation\/#Efficient_process_for_industrial_hard_material_machining\" >Efficient process for industrial hard material machining<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-gallery lightGallery\">\n<div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2025\/structuring-and-polish.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2025\/structuring-and-polish.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"High-energy pulses lasting just a few picoseconds vaporize the material during UKP structuring. In the second step, the laser, now running with different parameters, melts the top 0.2\u20132 \u00b5m of the surface. It then smooths out. Credit: Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany\">\n<figure class=\"article-img\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2025\/structuring-and-polish.jpg\" alt=\"Structuring and polishing hard material components in a single clamping operation\" title=\"High-energy pulses lasting just a few picoseconds vaporize the material during UKP structuring. In the second step, the laser, now running with different parameters, melts the top 0.2\u20132 \u00b5m of the surface. It then smooths out. Credit: Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-darken text-low-up text-truncate-js text-truncate mt-3\">\n                High-energy pulses lasting just a few picoseconds vaporize the material during UKP structuring. In the second step, the laser, now running with different parameters, melts the top 0.2\u20132 \u00b5m of the surface. It then smooths out. Credit: Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany<br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Tools made of hard materials and ceramics such as tungsten carbide are particularly wear-resistant. However, the tools used to manufacture them wear out all the faster\u2014unless the tool is laser light. Researchers at Fraunhofer ILT have developed a process chain in which hard material components can be shaped and polished using an ultrashort pulse (USP) laser without changing the clamping setup.<\/p>\n<p>Drills, milling heads, rollers, and even punch inserts made of hard ceramic materials not only bite into the workpiece, but also last significantly longer. Yet the same wear resistance that makes them so durable in production becomes a major challenge during their manufacture. The tools used to shape and finish them find the mixed-carbide hard metals, cermets, and ceramics a tough nut to crack\u2014and wear rates are correspondingly high when mechanical processing methods are used.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"USP_lasers_work_where_mechanical_processes_reach_their_limits\"><\/span>USP lasers work where mechanical processes reach their limits<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This is different with ultrashort laser pulses. Even commercially available USP lasers with a power of 20 to 40 watts are capable of efficiently removing the hard materials used in toolmaking. The material vaporizes where their high-energy pulses\u2014lasting just a few picoseconds\u2014hit the surface. Since this h<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ens at frequencies in the MHz range, laser material ablation reaches surface rates of up to 100 cm\u00b2 per minute. But the potential of USP processing is not limited to forming materials by vaporizing them.<\/p>\n<p>Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology<\/a> ILT in Aachen have developed a process chain in which the same USP laser not only forms and structures via ablation, but also subsequently polishes the tool surfaces.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The USP laser is a universal tool we use to conduct various processing steps, sometimes in the same clamping operation,&#8221; says S\u00f6nke Vogel, team leader for 3D Structural Ablation at Fraunhofer ILT, who has been driving the process forward together with Astrid Sa\u00dfmannshausen, team leader for Structuring of Transparent Materials.<\/p>\n<p>The key to linking the process steps lies in the parameterization of the laser: While material is ablated with high pulse energy and a low repetition rate, the opposite is true for polishing. The USP laser introduces energy into the surface of the workpiece at a pulse frequency of up to 50 MHz, where this energy accumulates and only melts the top 0.2\u20132.0 micrometers. The material does not vaporize, but forms a molten film that smooths itself out due to surface tension and solidifies as it cools. The surface properties can also be controlled via the process control.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;With USP laser polishing, for example, it is possible to smooth out micro-irregularities while retaining macroscopic structures,&#8221; explains Sa\u00dfmannshausen. In addition, the laser process makes it possible to polish complex 3D surfaces with micrometer precision. Specific areas can be selectively treated to adjust surface properties locally or to finish only the necessary zones\u2014saving time in the process.<\/p>\n<p>USP polishing thus complements existing laser macro- and micro-polishing methods by enabling even greater precision and localized control.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-gallery lightGallery\">\n<div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2025\/structuring-and-polish-1.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2025\/structuring-and-polish-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"In the newly developed process chain, a USP laser structures hard material components such as this mold tool made of tungsten carbide-cobalt for cutting inserts. The surface structured in this way (right) is then polished with the same laser. Credit: Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.\">\n<figure class=\"article-img text-center\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2025\/structuring-and-polish-1.jpg\" alt=\"Structuring and polishing hard material components with laser pulses in a single clamping operation\" title=\"In the newly developed process chain, a USP laser structures hard material components such as this mold tool made of tungsten carbide-cobalt for cutting inserts. The surface structured in this way (right) is then polished with the same laser. Credit: Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-left text-darken text-truncate text-low-up mt-3\">\n                In the newly developed process chain, a USP laser structures hard material components such as this mold tool made of tungsten carbide-cobalt for cutting inserts. The surface structured in this way (right) is then polished with the same laser. Credit: Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.<br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                        <!-- TechX - News - In-article --><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Efficient_process_for_industrial_hard_material_machining\"><\/span>Efficient process for industrial hard material machining<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Depending on the process requirements, laser polishing achieves surface rates of ten to 100 cm\u00b2 per minute, which is almost on par with the surface rates of the preceding material ablation. &#8220;The combination of both processes with a laser in the same clamping operation enables companies to expand their range of services with existing USP lasers or to significantly accelerate the amortization of a new purchase,&#8221; explains Sa\u00dfmannshausen.<\/p>\n<p>Above all, however, it is suitable for replacing mechanical processes for machining hard materials, thus putting an end to the sometimes immense tool wear involved in their manufacture. This not only reduces costs, but also specifically improves resource and energy efficiency in practice. According to Sa\u00dfmannshausen and Vogel, the potential of the process combination is far from exhausted. With faster polygon scanners, higher laser powers, and enlarged laser spots, the surface rates could be considerably increased. Interested industry partners are invited to tackle the optimization steps together with the Fraunhofer ILT research team.<\/p>\n<p>\n                                                Provided by<br \/>\n                                                                                                    Fraunhofer-Institut f\u00fcr Lasertechnik ILT<\/p>\n<p>                                        <!-- print only --><\/p>\n<div class=\"d-none d-print-block\">\n<p>\n                                                <strong>Citation<\/strong>:<br \/>\n                                                Structuring and polishing hard material components with laser pulses in a single clamping operation (2025, October 16)<br \/>\n                                                retrieved 17 October 2025<br \/>\n                                                from https:\/\/techxplore.com\/<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>\/2025-10-hard-material-components-laser-pulses.html\n                                            <\/p>\n<p>\n                                            This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no<br \/>\n                                            part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.\n                                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script id=\"facebook-jssdk\" async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more Like this articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Science category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/techxplore.com\/news\/2025-10-hard-material-components-laser-pulses.html\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>High-energy pulses lasting just a few picoseconds vaporize the material during UKP structuring. In the second step, the laser, now running with different parameters, melts the top 0.2\u20132 \u00b5m of the surface. It then smooths out. Credit: Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany Tools made of hard materials and ceramics such as tungsten carbide are particularly wear-resistant&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":695300,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2025\/structuring-and-polish.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-695299","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sciencee"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695299","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=695299"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695299\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/695300"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=695299"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=695299"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=695299"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}