Precise laser cutting of narrowings in miniature fuse links by use of fiber laser and YAG (355 nm) laser

Abstract

Laser cutting is widely used in many manufacturing processes with high requirements for accuracy, reliability and reproducibility. In the paper there are discussed some results of our research into precise laser cutting of different shapes in thin metallic foil strips that could play a role of a new type of miniature fuse links. In the study the Cu/Ag foil strips of width of 600 μm and thickness of 50 μm (outer layer of Ag about 3 μm) were used. The holes were cut by use of two different lasers: Nd:YAG laser (355 nm), duration of pulses 25 ns (AVIA 355-10 Coherent) and fiber laser (1070 nm) (SPI redENERGY 20W) duration of pulses 9 - 200 ns. The influence of beam power, pulse repetition frequency and scanning velocity on quality and efficiency of micromachining were investigated. The main advantage of applying Nd:YAG laser (355 nm) was better quality of cutting edges of holes. The experiments have shown that results of micro-cutting by use of pulsed (ns) fiber laser beam, despite of lower absorption by Cu/Ag foil are also to be accepted. The results of investigation confirmed expected electrical and thermal properties of elements created by laser technology.Laser cutting is widely used in many manufacturing processes with high requirements for accuracy, reliability and reproducibility. In the paper there are discussed some results of our research into precise laser cutting of different shapes in thin metallic foil strips that could play a role of a new type of miniature fuse links. In the study the Cu/Ag foil strips of width of 600 μm and thickness of 50 μm (outer layer of Ag about 3 μm) were used. The holes were cut by use of two different lasers: Nd:YAG laser (355 nm), duration of pulses 25 ns (AVIA 355-10 Coherent) and fiber laser (1070 nm) (SPI redENERGY 20W) duration of pulses 9 - 200 ns. The influence of beam power, pulse repetition frequency and scanning velocity on quality and efficiency of micromachining were investigated. The main advantage of applying Nd:YAG laser (355 nm) was better quality of cutting edges of holes. The experiments have shown that results of micro-cutting by use of pulsed (ns) fiber laser beam, despite of lower absorption by Cu/...