Product Code: ICAL05_504

Combining High-Speed Laser Perforation and Cold Roll Forming for the Production of Bio-Medical Micro-Filtration Membranes
Authors:
Klaus Dickmann, Laser Center University of Applied Sciences Muenster (LFM); Steinfurt NRW Germany
Marc Baumeister, Laser Center University of Applied Sciences Muenster (LFM); Steinfurt Germany
Tony Hoult, SPI; Southampton England
Presented at ICALEO 2005

A novel high speed two-step technique capable of performing large matrices of very small pores in large sheets of thin stainless steel foils has been developed. This process combination is initiated by high-speed �on-the-fly� laser perforation. A 100 Watt fiberlaser is capable of a very high drilling rate making it an attractive option for the creation of large drilling matrices and pore widths < 20 �m. The second step consists in cold-roll forming of the previously laser micro-perforated foil. This mechanically induced plastic deformation leads to a pore size reduction in one dimension perpendicular to the rolling direction. The minimum pore width determines the filtration parameters and the 5 �m pore width achieved here is well-suited for the removal of spherical particles.