METHOD OF CUTTING FRIABLE NON-METALLIC MATERIALS Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: methods of cutting friable non-metallic materials; laser cutting of any type of glass, quartz glass inclusive, monocrystals, sapphire and quartz, all types of ceramics and semiconductor materials. SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes heating of surface of material over line of cut by means of laser beam followed by applying additional action on surface of material. Blind notch is made over line of cut in zone of heating by laser beam. Additional action on surface of material is performed in zone of notch by at last one source of elastic waves whose amplitude and frequency depend on depth of notch or open cutting. Elastic waves are concentrated in zone of notch over line of cut for maximum efficiency of process. It is good practice to cool zone of heating by means of cooling agent at concentration of elastic waves in zone of action of cooling agent. Sometimes, action of elastic wave over line of cut is performed after completion of making notch. Thus, deepening of notch or open cutting may be performed simultaneously in one technological cycle; they may be also performed in two different cycles. EFFECT: increased productivity; improved quality of cutting. 9 cl, 17 dwg