Process Date: July 2000

25W pulsed, rounding 0.008" wire tip.

A smooth tip is required of wires that need to be threaded or pushed through narrow and delicate conduits. While mechanical cutting causes sharp edges that may tangle or damage these conduits, the thermal heat of a laser naturally causes the wire to form a rounded tip ( the material tends to the minimum surface energy, represented by the hemispherical shape).  The use of heat to produce a fast and efficient "balling effect" needs to be direct and reliable.  Torches, for example, produce unreliable results. This application is ideal for the laser, highlighting its potential as a delicate small source heating operation.