A method for stripping insulation from a region, a so-called window, of a flat cable, a so-called FFC, by means of a laser. The laser used to form the window, preferably a CO.sub.2 laser, operates only in the edge region of the window, and in a subsequent step the remaining insulation in the interior of the window is removed. This remaining insulation is preferably removed by means of a type of doctor blade or a brush.

A method for stripping flat cables, so-called FFCs, particularly for extruded FFCs, by using laser beams and devices for performing the method. Two coaxial laser sources pointing toward each other are used for removing the extruded material, the flat cable being located essentially in the plane of symmetry between the two laser sources, and the two laser sources being activated in an alternating manner. Preferably, a laser beam-impervious cover is arranged between the flat cable and the inactive laser source at least during the activation of one of the laser sources.