System and method for laser machining of three-dimensional structures

• Main Authors: SERCEL JEFFREY P, SERCEL PATRICK J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 08.10.2013
• Subjects: BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MACHINE TOOLS; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PROSTHESES; SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; TRANSPORTING; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; WELDING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM

A system and method of laser machining rotates a workpiece about an axis of rotation, and translates the workpiece in a first direction along the axis of rotation. A mask defining a shape is translated in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a laser beam is directed at the mask such that the laser beam is scanned across the mask and at least a portion of the laser beam passes through the mask and toward the workpiece. The mask and the workpiece are translated with coordinating opposing motion to cause the laser beam to be imaged onto the workpiece with a shape or pattern corresponding to a shape or pattern defined by the mask. Rotation of the workpiece and the shape of the image on the workpiece produce different vectorial intensities such that material of the workpiece is removed to different respective depths to form a three-dimensional structure.