In　order　to　predict　the　size　and　shape　of　the　laser　ablative　hole,　a　3D　finite　element　model　was　developed　to　simulate　the　Nd:YAG　laser　ablation　of　carbon　fiber　epoxy　composite.　For　given　irradiation　conditions,　good　agreement　with　experimental　data　relating　to　hole　dimensions.　The　numerical　results　and　experimental　observations　indicate　that　with　the　irradiation　time　increasing,　the　domain　under　investigation　temperature　raises　rapidly　and　the　further　to　the　spot　center,　the　smaller　the　temperature　raises.　After　0.093s　the　target　surface　temperature　is　higher　than　the　critical　temperature　of　composite,　so　the　removal　of　the　material　on　first　composite　layer　occurs.　It　also　can　be　observed　that　heat　energy　of　the　laser　spread　within　the　material　and　the　isotherm　ribbon,　as　well　as　crater　border,　is　step-like.