MICRO MACHINING = PARTS IN HAND QUICKLY
5/28/13 Micro machining encompasses R&D for products, high production growth and mature products. One of the fastest ways to get micro parts in our customer’s hands has traditionally been micro machining.
Many applications can be justified to spend capital on tooling up for micro molding, however, if the design has been made iteration-friendly (steel safe, inserted for areas thought to be changing prior to design freeze) then it may be a perfect candidate for micro machining.
Some of the components we have worked on in these categories include resorbable polymer implants, ophthalmic implants and lenses, suture devices, implantable clips, inkjet components and hearing aid components. We are capable of making a wall thickness down to 0.001″, surface features down to 0.0001″ and tip radius for sharp points on needles down to < 0.0007″.
Here are some benefits to Micro Machining over other Micro Processes:
• Fast Parts in Hand to show feasibility
• Capital Cost Effectiveness in both low and high volume
• Features to 3 microns
• Surface finish to < 8 Ra
• Use of final material from prototype through production
Not all materials are friendly to micro machining, such as: some polymers, heat sensitive materials, and drug-induced materials. The shear stresses in which micro machining occurs can render a material degradable, physically weak, and/or unfit for sterilization in some cases.
