Method of laser drilling a hole

摘要

A method of producing an angled hole 14 in a workpiece 10 includes the steps of: using a laser beam to produce an initial orifice in the workpiece 10; translating the laser beam away from the initial orifice to a starting point at a periphery of the hole 14 to be produced; and moving the laser beam such that it traces an elliptical path on the surface of the workpiece, thus defining the periphery of the hole 14, whilst maintaining the focus of the laser beam on the workpiece surface. The starting point is located in a region of the edge of the angled hole which meets the surface of the workpiece at an obtuse angle.