Method of producing a cutting tool insert using laser cutting and ion etching

摘要

A method of producing a cutting (30) edge on a layer (20) of diamond or other ultra-hard material includes the steps of providing a plate of the material, which plate has major flat surface (D1, D2) on opposite sides thereof, laser cutting the plate transverse to the major surfaces (D1, D2) to produce two or more layers (20) each having a cutting edge (30) defined on a surface (26) produced by the laser cut and exposing the cutting edge (30) to an ion bombardment etch. The layer of diamond or other ultra-hard material having an edge produced in this manner is useful as a tool insert, particularly a surgical blade.