Cutting & drilling carbon fibre composites

Carbon fibre composites are commonplace in the automotive and aerospace industries due to their high strength-to-weight ratio but machining them is difficult as it evaporates the epoxy resin which binds the composite together. Mechanical processing can result in de-lamination and matrix damage, and tool wear and breakage. Conventional laser processing creates a heat-affected zone (HAZ) around the cut, leaving the fibres exposed and compromising the strength of the material.

With a Luxinar LXR® series ultrashort pulse laser heat diffusion is greatly reduced, so cutting can be accomplished leaving the epoxy resin intact. This means that holes can be drilled and features cut out without compromising the strength of the carbon fibre sheet.