Patent ID: 6847004
Filing Date: 2005-01-25
Classification: B23K,B23P

Abstract:
1. A process of removing a ceramic deposit from a surface hole of a component having a ceramic coating on a surface thereof, the process comprising the steps of: positioning an Nd:YAG laser generator so that a laser beam generated by the generator is directed at the programmed location of the hole used during installation of the hole; and then directing a pulsed laser beam at the programmed location of the hole to remove the ceramic deposit from the hole, the pulsed laser beam having a diameter less than the hole at the surface of the component, a pulse width of about 0.25 to about 6.0 milliseconds, and a pulse frequency of about 2 to about 20 Hz, wherein some of the ceramic deposit is removed from the hole and a residual portion of the ceramic deposit remains surrounding the hole to define a surface opening without substantial delamination or cracking of the ceramic coating surrounding the hole.