Workshop focuses on laser-based thin glass processing

The Laser Processing of Glass Materials workshop held at Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH; Hannover, Germany) on December 6, 2016 focused on developments in processing, including laser drilling. The event was organized in cooperation with Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH.

To optimize laser drilling of thin glass, a research team led by Philipp von Witzendorff, head of the Glass Group at LZH, developed a novel drilling strategy. The team's goal was to avoid edge chippings completely, and succeeded by combining single pulses with different pulse durations, von Witzendorff says.

Christian Meyer of Coherent compared the new LZH process to water jet, as it can drill glass up to 4mm thick for approximately 3 cents cheaper.

Jörg Zander from Aachen Quartz-Glas Technologie Heinrich confirmed that increasing automation and the use of lasers in manufacturing of complex hollow glasses has economically strengthened companies. He has implemented the results of a project with the LZH concerning the automation of a manual process in a medium-sized enterprise. As a result, the company can now keep up with their Asian competitors.

"The innovations and further developments in laser-based glass processing presented provide valuable impulses for chemical process equipment, telecommunications, and many other industries," concludes Dr. Oliver Suttmann, head of the Production and Systems Department at LZH.

For more information, please visit www.lzh.de.