Microwave drill for ceramics

• Published in: American Ceramic Society bulletin Vol. 82; no. 1; pp. 35 - 37
• Main Authors: JERBY, E, DIKHTYAR, V, AKTUSHEV, O
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: Westerville, OH American Ceramic Society 2003
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building materials. Ceramics. Glasses; Ceramic industries; Chemical industry and chemicals; Exact sciences and technology; General studies; Technical ceramics; Microwave; Technical ceramics; Boring; Machining
• ISSN: 0002-7812

The microwave-drill operation is based on the concentration of microwave energy into a small hot spot, much smaller than the microwave wavelength itself. This is done using a near-field microwave concentrator, which is brought in contact with the material to be drilled. The microwave energy localized underneath the material surface generates a small hot spot in which the material becomes soft or even molten. The concentrator pin itself is then inserted into the molten hot spot and shapes its boundaries. Finally, the concentrator is pulled out from the drilled hole, and the material cools in its new shape. The microwave drill is effective for drilling and cutting in a variety of hard, nonconductive materials (including concrete, silicon, ceramics, rock, glass, plastic and wood) but not in metals.