What is Spiral Drilling?
Spiral laser drilling is a technique where the laser spot does not burn in a fixed point. Instead, it rotates while slowly feeding downward, similar to a spiral drill bit, gradually "drilling out" the hole layer by layer.
Why Use Spiral Drilling?
1.Laser energy is distributed and removed layer by layer, minimizing thermal accumulation and evenly releasing stress. This prevents cracking and chipping in ultra-thin sintered ceramics.
2.Holes achieve high circularity, minimal taper, and smooth walls, resulting in superior finished quality.
3.In deep holes, conventional fixed-point drilling can trap debris. Spiral rotation facilitates debris removal and prevents clogging.
Working Principle of Spiral Drilling:
Beam Rotation (Galvo / Rotating Optical Head):
Using a rotating wedge mirror, rotating galvo, or high-speed scanning galvo, the laser spot moves in a circular path on the material surface.
The spot traces a small circle, with a diameter equal to the desired hole size.
Spiral Cutting (Z-Axis Feed + Rotation):
While drawing circles, the spot slowly moves downward along the Z-axis, removing material layer by layer in a spiral manner, gradually cutting the hole walls.
Layered Vaporization / Melt Ejection:
Laser energy ablates the ceramic in layers, while molten material and dust are expelled from the top or sides of the hole.
Implementation Methods:
High-Speed Galvo Spiral (Mainstream, compatible with UV / Fiber / QCW lasers):
The galvo controls the spot to trace circles while the Z-axis feeds downward. High speed makes it ideal for micro-holes and ultra-thin ceramic sheets.
YCLASER Expertise:
At YCLASER, we specialize in precision laser processing for alumina ceramics. Our core advantage is advanced spiral drilling. With this technique, we achieve micron-level precision holes in both green state and sintered alumina.
Contact us today for high-precision ceramic components!
