4M Knowledge base - papers

A. Herrero(a), J. Esmoris(a), S. Azcarate(a), S. Geissdoerfer(b), U. Engel(b)
a: Department of Micro & Nano Technologies, Tekniker, Avda. Otaola 20, 20600 Eibar, Spain
b: Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstrasse 11, 91058 Erlangen, Germany

Abstract

The mass production of micro and meso scale products made of polymers or metals is intimately related to the production of high quality microtooling in stable materials capable to provide an accurate and repetitive performance throughout the whole demanded production. As it is widely known, the WEDM process provides high accuracy but is conceptually limited to the production of ruled features. The SEDM process can be a complement to this aspect but the electrodes must be manufactured by other technologies like WEDM, micromilling, turning, etc. Given the importance of several parameters like dimensional accuracy, tooling material for the different replication processes or tooling production technology, the present paper introduces some tests performed by the 4M Metals Workgroup. The analysis of some components manufactured by members of the group is presented discussing the influence of the EDM process on the machined tooling components and the consequent influence on the replication process.