Laser micromachining: qualifying the ideal laser solution for aerospace
The challenge: identifying the optimal laser process for a novel material
It all started with a challenge set by a player in the aerospace industry: a new material was to replace an existing component, but nobody knew exactly how to laser-drill it. Its optical, mechanical and structural properties were entirely novel, and the customer feared wasting time and money on unsuccessful trials.
The objective was clear: to find an effective laser process capable of drilling this material without damage, while optimising costs and meeting existing constraints.
Our technical approach: exploring the relevant options
IREPA LASER drew on its cross-disciplinary expertise in laser machining: infrared, visible or ultraviolet; pulsed lasers from millisecond to femtosecond and, more broadly, the ability to propose, test and validate the most suitable laser process.
- State of the art and technology watch: an in-depth literature review to identify all laser technologies suited to the material and the processing required.
- Screening and selection: choosing the solutions offering the best compromise between performance and economic constraints. The theoretically best-performing solution is not always the best suited to industrial realities.
- Practical trials: tests on the customer’s demonstrators to validate effectiveness and measure actual performance.
- Optimisation of operating parameters: precise adjustment of all laser parameters to maximise quality, repeatability and productivity.
Results: performance, reliability and efficiency
Thanks to this approach, we identified an optimal laser process, ensuring precise and reliable drilling of this new material while pushing back the limits of performance. From an industrial standpoint, this choice delivered significant time savings and controlled costs, while meeting the customer’s ambitious objectives.
Why our solutions make the difference
This project highlights our added value:
- Multi-technology versatility: comparing and testing different laser sources to identify the optimal solution.
- Neutrality: no commercial interest in selling equipment, only expertise at the customer’s service.
- Rigorous methodology: technology watch, in-house expertise and experimental trials.
- Turning theory into a practical solution: adapting to the customer’s industrial and operational constraints.
Thanks to this approach, our customers benefit from a qualified, high-performance laser process as well as impartial strategic support, enabling them to make the best technical and economic decisions.
>> Discover our expertise in laser machining
Meet us at Micronora 2026: let’s talk about your laser projects
From 29 September to 2 October 2026, IREPA LASER will be at Micronora, the leading international event dedicated to microtechnology, precision and micro-nanotechnologies. Find us in the heart of the Club Laser et Procédés joint area, Hall C, in Besançon.
We will be showcasing in particular our expertise in laser machining, our multi-technology versatility and our role as a neutral industrial partner, able to guide the choice of the most suitable process for your applications. It is the ideal opportunity to discuss your projects and constraints, from R&D to industrialisation, with our specialists at the trade fair.
>> Need further information about your applications or industrialisation constraints? Contact our experts to discuss them.
