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Miyachi America’s Sigma Femtosecond laser tube-cutting system is designed to produce high-quality edges in metals and plastics, making it suitable for cutting medical devices such as tubes and stents in a range of diameters. Developed in partnership with laser source provider Jenoptik, the tube cutter is the first of a new family of femto-powered solutions based on Jenoptik’s short-pulse disc laser platform. This disc laser platform is combined with Miyachi’s Sigma precision-cutting platform and Delta motion control software to offer high-resolution, high-quality cutting, Miyachi says. The laser capability enables the machines to process a range of materials without thermal effects.

The system uses a short pulse width and cold ablation process to cut materials and maintain edge quality. Postprocessing is said to be minimal, with only ultrasonic cleaning required for materials such as nitinol. The nearly cold cutting process means that it is possible to cut very fine feature sizes in to thin material while maintaining mechanical and material integrity, the company says. No internal water cooling is needed, even for small diameter tube.