Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) laser lapping machine

A laser lapping machine has a rotatable platform 12, and a laser. Simultaneous spinning of the turntable 12 and lateral laser head movement may create a spiral cut track in a disk 14. Polycrystalline diamond may be removed from the surface of a PCD disk 14. The turntable 12 may have three seats 34 (or use suction) for supporting the product 14. The laser beam may form a shallow attack angle relative to the product surface (fig 3), e.g. so debris is ejected away from the cutting point. Processed discs 14 may have differently shaped surfaces, including conical, flat, convex, concave; or undulating (figure 3). An exhaust system may include a shroud and a chimney to remove debris. Light and/or sound sensors may detect changes in light/sound from the cutting site 22, to control operational parameters. The disc may comprise tungsten carbide (WC), monocrystalline diamond (MCD) or boron nitride (BN).