Combining high-speed laser perforation and cold roll forming for the production of bio-medical micro-filtration membranes

A novel high speed two-step technique capable of performing large matrices of very small pores in large sheets of thin stainless steel foils has been developed. This process combination is initiated by high-speed “on-the-fly” laser perforation. A 100 Watt fiberlaser is capable of a very high drilling rate making it an attractive option for the creation of large drilling matrices and pore widths < 20 µm. The second step consists in cold-roll forming of the previously laser micro-perforated foil. This mechanically induced plastic deformation leads to a pore size reduction in one dimension perpendicular to the rolling direction. The minimum pore width determines the filtration parameters and the 5 µm pore width achieved here is well-suited for the removal of spherical particles.A novel high speed two-step technique capable of performing large matrices of very small pores in large sheets of thin stainless steel foils has been developed. This process combination is initiated by high-speed “on-the-fly” laser perforation. A 100 Watt fiberlaser is capable of a very high drilling rate making it an attractive option for the creation of large drilling matrices and pore widths < 20 µm. The second step consists in cold-roll forming of the previously laser micro-perforated foil. This mechanically induced plastic deformation leads to a pore size reduction in one dimension perpendicular to the rolling direction. The minimum pore width determines the filtration parameters and the 5 µm pore width achieved here is well-suited for the removal of spherical particles.