Laser Processing
TE’s laser processing capabilities are the foundation for highly precise medical devices that require clean welds without heat distortion or filler materials, need a flexible setup for various shapes and materials, and which fuse dissimilar materials with structural integrity.
Medical device manufacturing requires small-scale component parts, including difficult-to-process metals, that are machined accurately, consistently, and quickly. TE offers precision engineering through micromachining and laser processing on a wide range of components and assemblies. Tight process controls help ensure repeatable, accurate welds of similar and dissimilar materials without thermal damage, distortions, or fillers to optimize biocompatibility for medical submissions.
Laser Processing Technologies
Medical Device Component Applications:
(select examples)
- Laser welding, laser cutting, laser marking, laser ablation, and micro engraving
- Metals processing for surgical and machined components, metal shafts and hypotubes, wire and coil, and specialty needles
- Hermetic weld joints and helix weld coils
- Laser wire ball forming
- Laser welded torque cables, catheter tips, tube assemblies, and nitinol and filter assemblies
Materials
- Expertise across a wide range of standard materials and difficult-to process metals, including:
- Stainless steels, nickel, and cobalt chromium
- ELGILOYTM® alloy, nichrome, INVARTM® alloy, MP35NTM®, and L605
- Nitinol, titanium, platinum, and platinum alloys
- Titanium
- Polymers: Silicone, Polyurethane, PEBA, ETFE, PET, Polyimide, Polyester fabric, and many others
Laser Processing Specifications
- Laser processing of metals:
- Tolerances within 0.0005" or less
- Kerf width as small as 0.0007”
- Wall thicknesses as thin as 0.002" up to 0.030"
- Tubing diameter between 0.012" x 0.009"
- Laser processing of polymers:
- Tolerances within 0.001" or less
- Drill holes as small as 0.002" or less
- Materials as thin as 0.002" and as thick as 0.040"
Technical Resources
