Precision
Laser Micromachining
at the Micro Scale.
Laser micromachining is a non-contact process, a focused beam removes or modifies material to produce fine features and tight tolerances while minimizing mechanical stress and distortion. Goodfellow Microfabrication machines metals, polymers, ceramics, and glass, matching the right laser source, from deep-UV excimer to Nd:YAG, to your feature size, tolerance, volume, and material.
Upload STEP, STL, or PDF, our engineers review it for manufacturability.
No redesign required to start, we’ll help optimise your part.
Why choose Goodfellow Microfabrication for laser micromachining
Since 1982, Goodfellow Microfabrication has set the standard for laser micromachining, non-contact, focused-beam machining of metals, polymers, ceramics, and glass for medical, microelectronics, photonics, and microfluidics programs, from prototyping through production.
Non-contact precision, a focused beam produces fine features and tight tolerances while minimizing mechanical stress and distortion.
The right laser for the job, sources from deep-UV excimer to Nd:YAG, selected per feature size, tolerance, volume, and material.
CAD-to-FAB, no tooling, custom parts without costly masks or hard tooling, keeping prototypes and production cost-effective.
Metals, polymers, ceramics, glass, from stainless steel, copper, and nitinol to Kapton, PEEK, PMMA, and borosilicate.
Minimal heat-affected zone, wavelength matched to the material, with IR for speed and UV for the finest features and thin foils.
Upload STEP, STL, or PDF, our engineers review it for manufacturability.
No redesign required to start, we’ll help optimise your part.
Explore our precision capabilities
Choose the manufacturing route that fits your geometry, material, and production need.
CNC Micromachining
4-axis CNC milling and drilling for fine-feature and engineering plastics where repeatable tolerance control matters.
Laser-Mikrobearbeitung
UV and IR laser machining of metals, polymers, ceramics, and glass, fine features, clean edges, no masks or tooling.
Schnelles Prototyping
Fast-turn prototype paths for teams that need DFM feedback, material parts on compressed timelines.
Hybrid CNC + Laser
A medical-grade stainless steel stent part, CNC macro structural feature machined and laser-cut.
Strukturelles Kleben und Montage
Precision alignment, bonding, micro-assembled components flawlessly bonded and aligned data.
Explore Applications
Choose your sector to get started, or upload your CAD file if your design is ready.
Mikrofluidik
Fine channels, ports, and bonded polymer substrates cut and structured by laser, matched wavelengths keep edges clean in PMMA, COC, and glass.
Next step for Microfluidics
Continue into the materials library or upload your CAD file if your design is already fixed.
- DFM review included
- No minimum order
- 24 to 48 hr prototype turnaround
Luft- und Raumfahrt
Precision metal parts, apertures, and sensor hardware laser-machined in production-intent alloys, no masks, no hard tooling.
Next step for Aerospace
Continue into the materials library or upload your CAD file if your design is already fixed.
- DFM review included
- No minimum order
- 24 to 48 hr prototype turnaround
Semiconductor
Shadow masks, wafer features, and test hardware laser-cut in metals, silicon, and glass, UV sources for the finest features.
Next step for Semiconductor
Continue into the materials library or upload your CAD file if your design is already fixed.
- DFM review included
- No minimum order
- 24 to 48 hr prototype turnaround
Photonics & Optics
Mounts, apertures, and alignment features where finish and accuracy matter, laser-machined in metals, glass, silicon, and technical ceramics.
Next step for Photonics & Optics
Continue into the materials library or upload your CAD file if your design is already fixed.
- DFM review included
- No minimum order
- 24 to 48 hr prototype turnaround
Electronics / MEMS
Flex-circuit features, micro-holes, and sensor supports laser-machined in Kapton, copper, and thin foils with minimal heat input.
Next step for Electronics / MEMS
Continue into the materials library or upload your CAD file if your design is already fixed.
- DFM review included
- No minimum order
- 24 to 48 hr prototype turnaround
Laser Micromachining Capabilities
Engineering guidance, not fixed spec promises.
Material selection supported, customers often work with engineering to optimise for manufacturability.
Material support available
Work with your own material or select from 170,000+ options.
Broader material matching and traceability support are available through the wider Goodfellow library.
Laser vs. Micro-CNC vs. Micro 3D Printing
Use this guide to identify the right process, or combine them for the best result.
Choose the right prototyping process for your part, based on material, features, and function.
Laser-Mikrobearbeitung
Best when you need:
- Non-contact, no tooling stress
- Fine features, clean edges
- Minimal heat-affected zone
Best for: ultra-fine features
See laser micromachining →Micro-CNC Machining
Best when you need:
- Metals & engineering plastics
- Load-bearing parts
- Production-matching finish
Best for: strength & accuracy
See micro-CNC →3D-Mikrodruck
Best when you need:
- Complex geometries
- Microfluidic & biomedical parts
- Fixtures, housings, test parts
Best for: complex geometry
See 3D printing →Our Laser Micromachining Process: From CAD to Finished Part
A clear engineering workflow from first brief through material selection, DFM review, fabrication, validation, and delivery.
Submit Your Brief
Share your drawing, CAD file, application goal, tolerance needs, or early-stage project requirements.
Select Material
Use your own material or source precision metals, polymers, ceramics, and specialist grades through Goodfellow.
Engineering Review
Collaborative review to select the right laser source and process, from deep-UV excimer to Nd:YAG, for your material and features.
Manufacture & Validate
Non-contact laser micromachining with the matched UV or IR source, plus bonding, assembly, and post-processing as needed.
Deliver or Scale
Inspection and dimensional verification, then iterate or transition to production.
Supported by the Goodfellow Group’s integrated material, fabrication, and testing capabilities.
The Goodfellow Group
The Goodfellow Group brings together material supply, precision fabrication, and testing capabilities, giving you access to a complete engineering ecosystem.
Global supply of advanced metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, and compounds with research-quality flexibility and production-scale support across 170,000+ specialist materials.
170,000+ material grades
No minimum order
CNC micromachining
Laser micromachining
Hybrid manufacturing
Micro-assembly
Certified reference materials and analytical standards supporting calibration, laboratory QA, and regulatory compliance.
Calibration and QA support
Traceable standards
Trusted by engineers worldwide
“I could have made these (shadow masks with 10-micron diameter holes) myself in the lab, but the learning curve was high for the size of micro hole drilling we needed. That’s why I sought out Potomac Photonics. …”
“We are developing a robotic capsule endoscope which is capable of mobility within the gastrointestinal tract. . . Potomac Photonics produces micro-drilled polyimide sheets that we use as molds to fabricate the micro-patterned polymers. . .”
“… The edges are consistently clean, even under magnification. They have turned orders around much more quickly than I am used to, and most importantly, communication is good. …”
Ready to move forward?
Upload your drawing or request a quote, our engineering team will review your design and respond within 24 hours.
No redesign required to start, we’ll help optimise your part.
Uploads stay confidential. We can sign your NDA on request before you share files.
You submit your request
Name, email, description, drawing. No commitment.
Engineer reviews your part
DFM check on geometry, tolerances, material fit.
Quote & process path confirmed
Feasibility, recommended process, next steps.
Step 1, Tell us about your part
Common questions
Direct answers to the engineering, materials, and process questions buyers most often ask when evaluating a microfabrication partner.
Laser micromachining is a precision, non-contact process that uses a focused laser beam to remove or modify material, producing fine features and tight tolerances at the micro scale while minimizing mechanical stress and distortion. Goodfellow Microfabrication has offered laser micromachining since 1982.
Goodfellow Microfabrication laser micromachines metals, polymers, ceramics, and glass, including stainless steel, copper, nitinol, tantalum, gold, and aluminium, plus Kapton, Cirlex, PEEK, polystyrene, PMMA, polycarbonate, PTFE, and Mylar.
Goodfellow Microfabrication runs a range of laser sources, from deep-UV excimer to Nd:YAG. Engineers select the most appropriate system based on feature size, tolerance, volume, and material; UV systems at 193 nm, 248 nm, and 355 nm are used for the finest features and thin materials.
No. Goodfellow Microfabrication’s CAD-to-FAB approach eliminates costly masks and tooling, making custom part manufacturing efficient and cost-effective for both prototypes and production parts.
For metals, IR lasers are used for quality and cost-effectiveness, with UV lasers for finer features and thin metal thicknesses, achieving minimal heat-affected zones. For polymers, the laser wavelength is matched to the material’s absorption spectrum to keep the heat-affected zone minimal.
Yes. Goodfellow Microfabrication has developed applications for molds and fixtures that require small features and tight tolerances, for example, laser micromachining a mold for hot embossing, typically in less than a day.
Yes. As a core microfabrication technology, laser micromachining is often combined with micro-CNC machining, bonding, and assembly to support both prototyping and production.
Laser micromachining is widely used across medical devices, microelectronics, photonics, and microfluidics.
Ready to laser machine
at the micron scale?
Share your drawing and feature requirements. Engineers review every design for manufacturability and respond within 24 hours.
