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HYBRID METAL-POLYMER MICROSTRUCTURES DELIVER DESIGN FREEDOM
22 March 2005 - Tecan
| Hybrid microstructures can now be manufactured incorporating various
material elements, including metals and polymers, to produce cost-effective
integrated devices for new generation applications, from life sciences to
diverse micro industry needs. |
Hybrid microstructures can now be manufactured incorporating various
material elements, including metals and polymers, to produce cost-effective
integrated devices for new generation applications, from life sciences to
diverse micro industry needs. Developed by leading Photo Electro Forming (PEF) specialist, Tecan, the
process has huge potential and is already being used to produce structures
and components, at microscopic levels, such as gear wheels, coils, encoder
discs, lenses, micro filters and similar products, which may be stand-alone
devices or component parts of other micro systems. 'Imagine a micro component with customised integrated layers of materials,
these could include metals or polymers, maybe with electronic interconnects
or micro-fluidic channels - virtually any combination of these is possible',
said Nick Hollinshead, Tecan's microstructure division manager. 'Alternatively, single material parts such as plastic only components can be produced. Industries already expressing interest in our technology include medical, bio-tech, IT, pharmaceutical, optoelectronics and aerospace. Designers now have the freedom to conceive innovative component solutions based on proven manufacturing techniques which assure repeatable results for highly-reliable products.' Advantages of the process include: low production costs, ultra-fine
tolerances, superior surface finishes, high precision, exceptional
repeatability, stress and burr free, superior co-planarity, sharp edge
definition, variations in hardness, multi-level 'stepped' profiles, low
tooling costs, short lead times and easy batch fabrication. The use of new fabrication processes for polymer materials, such as SU8,
will be developed further during 2005, during which time the company aims to
work closely with designers and niche product developers. The goal is to
continue the manufacture of micro-parts, which have gone through a process
of careful product development with an evaluation of all critical
parameters. The use of polymers, in particular, enables not only the
manufacture of stand-alone plastic components, but also the integration of
new functionality and the possibility of integration with optoelectronic and
micro-fluidic devices. The manufacturing process assures the minimal
tolerances at highest possible reproducibility, which is indispensable for
the realisation of micro-systems. Furthermore, while taking advantage of
the latest advances in polymer techniques, the new process loses none of the
benefits associated with existing processes, says the company.
http://www.tecan.co.uk
About: Tecan
Tecan is a world-class, ISO 9001:2000 registered precision metal part and tool manufacturer, based in Weymouth, UK. Formed in 1970, Tecan offers the 'total' one-stop contract-manufacturing solution - from technology development through to rapid prototyping and volume production. Tecan's team of experienced engineers work closely with the customer to develop manufacturing solutions to meet their exact cost and tolerance requirements. Years of process development have culminated in Tecan being able to cost-effectively manufacture metal parts with feature sizes down to 2-micron at sub-micron accuracy - and to put that into perspective, there are 1,000-microns to one millimetre. Technological innovation and expertise form the basis of Tecan's success, and have provided the platform for the development of competences in several process technologies, including: • Photo Chemical Machining (PCM)
• Photo ElectroForming (PEF)
• Precision photolithography
• Precision electroplating Tecan works on a global basis with a diverse range of OEM customers, who are involved in a wide array of industries. The nature of Tecan's competences, combined with its commitment to R&D, allows it to stretch to meet the requirements of virtually any application. |
More News:
• For March 2005
• From Tecan
• For Photochemical Machining (PCM)
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