Product Code: ICAL07_903

Laser Modification of the End of Thin Metal Tube
Authors:
Hajime Miyazawa, Nippon Institute of Technology; Saitama Japan
Katsuyoshi Hotta, Nippon Institute of Technology; Saitama Japan
Shojiro Miyake, Nippon Institute of Technology; Saitama Japan
Presented at ICALEO 2007

The end of the tubes used for catheter, nozzle and/or filter must be smoothly rounded. To produce the tube, it is cut at a length and then the end is polished mechanically. However, the smaller the diameter, the more difficult it becomes to finish it. Then, a basic study on the modification of the end of thin metal tube using laser technique is conducted. Thin stainless and copper tubes of diameters between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm are used as specimens. A pulsed YAG laser is scanned along the end line of the tube to modify the sharp edge. Results show that suitable combinations of laser irradiating conditions can yeild smoothly rounded ends.