sp3 Diamond Technologies Enhances CVD Diamond Cutting Capabilities

Tag : diamond tools
sp3 Diamond Technologies Enhances CVD Diamond Cutting Capabilities New Laser Allows sp3 to Offer Specialty Cutting of its CVD Diamondfor Cutting Tools, Dresser Bars and Thermal Management Applications Source: sp3 Diamond Technologies
9/3/2008 SANTA CLARA, Calif. — September 3, 2008 — sp3 DiamondTechnologies, Inc. (sp3), a leading supplier of diamond filmproducts, equipment and services, today announced that it hasinstalled a Bettonville 5XS IR Nd: YAG (TEM 00) Laser in itsCalgary, Alberta facility. The new laser enables sp3 to performboth near vertical-edge and precision circular cuts of thecompany’s proprietary CVD diamond, significantly enhancingthe company’s ability to deliver cost-effective CVD diamondto multiple specialty cutting tools, dresser bars and thermalmanagement applications.

With its proprietary optical system and TEM 00 laser source, thesp3 laser is capable of near vertical (<1 degree) cuts, acapability not offered on any previously existing Nd:YAG technologylaser system. This ability to cut a vertical edge offers a clearadvantage for thermal management applications, in particularedge-mounted diodes. The laser is also capable of a 2-3 degree kerfangle on standard cuts. In addition, the laser is ideal for cuttingsmaller parts and more complex shapes such as radii and circles andshapes that combine straight, angular and radii components,allowing sp3 to sell its CVD diamond to a broader range of cuttingtool customers.

Overall, accuracy has improved by more than four times with atolerance of plus or minus .0005, and the company can now produce aradius of .001 inches. Additionally, installation of the new laserhas allowed sp3 to more than triple its in-house cutting capacity.These benefits mean that sp3 can deliver a higher quantity andquality of cost-effective pre-cut CVD diamond with better edges,more complicated geometries, less waste and improved lead times.

“CVD diamond offers many benefits to users in terms ofhardness, thermal conductivity and durability, and it is becoming amainstream material as it is increasingly cost-competitive withother products,” said Gary Schoettmer, Vice PresidentOperations, sp3 Diamond Technologies. “Most fabricateddiamond must also be cut to the shape of the end product, so thequality of the laser is critical to the performance of the endproduct. This new laser allows us to increase our in-house cuttingcapacity and capabilities, and has already earned us new customerswho required unusual snapstrate configurations for thermalmanagement products. This is a good example of the types ofprojects we will now be able to offer our CVD diamondcustomers.”

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About sp3 Diamond Technologies, Inc.

sp3 Diamond Technologies is focused on providing diamond-basedsolutions for electronics thermal management, diamond-on-siliconapplications, and enhanced cutting surfaces. Based in Santa Clara,California, USA, the company provides diamond products for thermaland cutting applications, diamond deposition services, hot filamentCVD reactors, and deposition consulting services to companiesworldwide across a broad spectrum of industries.

sp3 Diamond Technologies is a subsidiary of sp3 Inc., a fullservice provider of products and services relating to thin-film andthick-film diamond deposition and other diamond materials.

For more information about the company and its products andservices please visit www.sp3diamondtech.com.

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