SEPARATION AND RELEASE OF LASER-PROCESSED BRITTLE MATERIAL

摘要

A method for separating and releasing a closed-form piece from a workpiece (12) made of a brittle material is disclosed. A first pulsed laser-beam (14) creates defects along the outline of the closed-form piece (62). A second laser-beam (40) selectively heats the closed-form piece (62) for a first time that is sufficient to initiate cracking between the defects. The heating is stopped for a period sufficiently long for the cracks to propagate completely between the defects. The second laser-beam (40) is applied for a second time that causes melting and deformation of the closed-form piece (62). The deformation opens a gap between the closed-form piece (62) and the rest of the workpiece (12), thereby allowing release of the closed-form piece (62).