LASER ABLATIVE SHAPING OR PIERCING (I.E., NONETCHING, DEVOIDOF CHEMICAL AGENT OTHER THAN AIR):
(under the class definition) Processes directed to producing a configured or perforated article, wherein material is removed from a preform by vaporization or decomposition, caused solely by laser (i.e., light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) generated heat and without the use of an external chemical agent, other than air.
(1) Note. Claimed recitation of laser ablative shaping, per se, without the use of an external chemical agent will be considered proper for this subclass.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
138+, for processes which include a step of (a) penetrating a shaped product from one face to another to cause at least a partial separation of the product, (b) tearing an article, (c) removing material from an article by means of a solid tool or implement, or (d) forming a comminuted product, without the use of a laser.
482, for processes wherein the direct energy utilized before, during, or after shaping or molding is laser.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
83, Cutting, appropriate subclasses for processes of cutting, severing, incising, etc., where not claimed in combination. 216, Etching a Substrate: Processes,
2+, for processes wherein a substrate is subjected to bombardment by high energy radiation above that of the so-called ultraviolet range.
219, Electric Heating,
121.6+, for electrical heating of metal utilizing laser.
241, Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration, appropriate subclasses for processes for solid material comminuting.
