Laser Technology For The Aerospace Industry

Aerospace Marking, Micromachining & Hole Drilling

Aircraft and spacecraft require micro features for critical components such as turbine blades, combustors, nozzle guide vanes and composite structures.  

Traditional drilling and marking methods don't do well with tight tolerances, material diversity and the structural integrity requirements of aerospace-grade materials.  

Laser micromachining & drilling offer exceptional control over such processes and ensure superior quality and repeatability without mechanical stress.

Laser marking can be used to create high-contrast markings that resist extreme conditions and do not damage the surface of various parts, components and assemblies including turbine components, fasteners, pumps, landing gear parts, brake discs, actuator housings, and turbine shafts. 

Thermal Spraying Surface Preparation

To ensure a strong bond between the coating and substrate of aviation components, the surface must be prepared before a thermal spray is applied.  

Laser texturing creates a clean, consistent texture (even on curved surfaces) and eliminates the need for manual masking, consumables or chemical treatments. 

Bonding Preparation To Replace Chemical Etching

Aerospace structures require strong, reliable bonding to meet strict performance and environmental standards. Chemical etching has been used to prepare surfaces before bonding, but it involves hazardous chemicals and generates significant waste.

Laser cleaning and texturing offers a highly precise, waste-free alternative to remove contaminants and create consistent micro-roughness for optimal bonding conditions without chemicals. 

Carbon Fiber Composite Marking & Texturing

Carbon fiber composites have low surface energy and resin-rich outer layers, which make traditional marking and texturing challenging. Laser provides resistant marking and controlled roughness while preserving the integrity of aircraft parts with no broken fibers.

• Laser marking is ideal for high-contrast, permanent markings that can withstand extreme conditions while maintaining the composite structure and avoiding delamination.
• Laser texturing is ideal for enhancing carbon fiber composite adhesion by consistently modifying the surface at a microscopic level. As a result, it improves bonding strength for coatings, adhesives or paint. 

Housings Surface Preparation

Battery and e-motor housings sealed with liquid gaskets need surface preparation to maximize the adhesive’s strength and ensure the best possible environmental protection.

Laser cleaning maximizes the surface free energy available for sealing by removing all types of contaminants, including oxides, dust, and grease.

Battery Cells Ultrasonic Wire Bonding Preparation

Ultrasonic bonding requires a perfectly clean surface to ensure high strength and low resistance wires and interconnects.

Laser cleaning is the ideal technology to prepare cells for bonding, as it eliminates chemicals from the cleaning process and speeds up surface preparation.

Cooling Plates Cleaning & Texturing

Cooling plates and tubes used for thermal transfer in batteries need to be cleaned to obtain a strong bond with thermal adhesives. They can also be roughened to further increase bond strength.

• Laser cleaning removes contaminants that interfere with the adhesive bonding process, resulting in a stronger and more durable bond.
• Laser texturing creates a rough texture that increases the contact area between thermal adhesive and substrate. It improves bond strength and can potentially improve thermal transfer.

Bipolar Plates Cleaning & Texturing

Metallic bipolar plates used in hydrogen fuel cells can be cleaned and textured to ensure that fuel cell stacks meet the highest quality requirements.

• Laser cleaning removes oxides, oils, dust, and other contaminants from plates before they are coated and assembled in a fuel cell stack.
• Laser texturing creates a microtexture on the plates’ surface. This improves adhesion before coating processes like thermal spray coating, e-coating, and other protective coating.