Traditionally, composites have been machined using conventional CNC drilling, punches, lasers, and abrasive water-jet technologies. Expensive, specially coated drills wear out quickly causing burnishing, tearing and changes in hole dimensions. Punches and other tooling eventually dull, bend and may break. Lasers can burn surfaces, and all of these methods can cause de-lamination. Even abrasive water-jet systems will cause de-lamination unless the process is well tuned. Further, abrasive water-jet systems cannot control depth for blind holes or cavities, and are a high cost investment.

While not a total replacement for any of these machining methods, Photo-Machining overcomes many of the issues indicated. This innovative process uses well-established technology.

It is excellent for producing perforations, blind holes, cavities, and other geometric features over large surface areas. This is particularly true for array patterns where multiple holes and/or other features are required. This process allows for such features to be produced simultaneously, with ultimate precision.

• No hole burrs/spurs to remove.
• Minimal tooling and setup costs. Rapid turnaround and  exibility for design or pattern changes with little cost or lost time.
• No degradation in quality from part to part.
• No burning or delamination of layers during perforating or cutting.
• Precision depth control for blind holes or cavities to within 25μm.
• Thru-holes or features with size accuracy and repeatability within 10μm.
• Precision positioning +/- 25μm over entire area being perforated.
• Excellent for perforating large area hole array patterns simultaneously (not one hole at a time) and removing large amounts of material quickly.
• Every hole/feature is present – no skips or dropouts due to punch breaks or drill misses.
• Fast, low-cost process: through put not a function of the number of holes per part.
• Holes/features capable of being positioned within 5μm of each other.
• Controlled taper (cone shape) enhances sound attenuation for acoustic applications.
• Process allows perforations to be made in laminated composite structures (composite applied to honeycomb core).
• Any number, size or shaped hole or feature (including cutouts) are produced at the same time).
• 100% Dry process - no water, slurries or solvents used.
• Process is easy to control; has broad latitude; and can be automated to reduce labor.

• About Us
• Company Overview
• IKONICS Divisions

• Services
• Overview
• Process
• Principles
• Applications

• Benefits
• Blog
• Contact

• IKONICS Division Sites
• Chromaline Screen Print Products
• IKONICS Imaging: Photobrasive Systems
• IKONICS Industrial Inkjet Solutions

• IKONICS Advanced Material Solutions
• IKONICS International

ISO 9001 Certified. NASDAQ Listed: IKNX