a process and apparatus for selectively removing a plastic layer laminated to a metal substrate . a high intensity laser beam is precisely directed to open areas of a thin metallic mask overlying the plastic layer . during removal of the plastic layer from the metal substrate , the system also removes the adhesive resin which attaches the layers . a movable table transfers the sample to be skived across the laser beam and the beam is caused to sweep the sample in a rotating pattern by means of a rotating wobble - plate mirror system . the plastic layer and the adhesive resin which attaches it to the metal substrate are removed by a sequential combination of vaporization and explosion processes .