Multi Material Micro Manufacture Network of Excellence - surface finishing

Electro-Chemical Polishing: a Technique for Surface Improvements after Laser Milling

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:23:32 +0000

T Dobrev, D T Pham and S S Dimov
Manufacturing Engineering Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 3AA, UK

Abstract

Electro-chemical polishing is a process of improving micro smoothness, micro topology, and material brightness by anodic dissolving of the substrate in an electrolyte with an external source of electricity. The resulting surface improvements depend on the uniformity of the material microstructure, the lack of surface inclusions, and the consistency of the surface finish all over the target area. In contrast, laser milled structures are mostly concave features; their roughness is usually higher than that achieved on the other surfaces of the component, and also there is a significant presence of foreign or recast particles on them. Thus, it is important to investigate systematically the effects of electro-chemical polishing on microstructures machined by laser milling.

The paper discusses the effects of electro-chemical polishing on the surface finish of laser milled features. Although ECP displayed some limitations when polishing micro features, it still managed to achieve almost 30% improvements in omparison to the initial roughness after laser milling. Another benefit is that the process also improves the edge quality of the laser machined structures by removing the burrs.

Feasibility study for microfluidic separation device for biological fluids

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 14:10:43 +0000

4M Partner:
Imego AB

4M Partner No:
18

Collaborator Name:
Denator AB

Proposal for extended project to RAS:
Yes

Technology enquiry/solution sought:

The study requested is a preparation for a possible research and development project of a product that can perform fast separation and inactivation of biological fluids. Proteins, peptides and metabolites are rapidly degraded after extraction, which causes large problems for both academic and industrial protein research. In this study, Imego will investigate the feasibility of fabricating low-cost glass and polymer chips that combine microfluidic separation with Denator’s proprietary preservation technology.

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

n/a

Bayerisches Laserzentrum

Wed, 18 May 2005 09:08:57 +0000

Facilities/Hardware:

Various laser systems for ablation, soldering, welding, marking, adjustment, sintering, stereolithography, LOM.

RAS contact:
Stephan Roth

KU Leuven

Tue, 12 Apr 2005 12:40:08 +0000

Facilities/Hardware:

K.U.Leuven is one of the three divisions of the department of Mechanical Engineering. PMA is active in the following areas: manufacturing processes, machine and instrument design, structural dynamics, acoustics, CAD/CAM/CIM, robotics, assembly automation, mechatronics, micro- and precision engineering, and metrology. The PMA division work includes original fundamental work as well as successful industry-oriented projects carried out in collaboration with small, medium and large companies and with international organisations like the European Space Agency. An important role of the research activities of the PMA division is based on international collaboration as shown by the participation of the division in more than 40 EC funded projects. The PMA division has also been nominated as Centre of Excellence by the Belgian Government.

RAS contact:
dominiek reynaerts

CEA Grenoble

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 08:43:53 +0000

Facilities/Hardware:

The CEA (Atomic Energy Commission) is a French Governmental Research Organisation (1500 employees) devoted to both fundamental and industrial R&D. The CEA-Grenoble research center is operated by the DRT (Technological Research Direction) in the fields of technologies for information, communication and of technologies for new energies. The two main laboratories (LETI and LITEN) involved in 4M are developing polymers micro systems for various fields of applications (biotechnology, micro fluidics, micro fuel cells, photonics and micro heat exchanger).These two laboratories are one of the largest European R&D operators in the micro & nanotechnologies, nano-materials and electronics. It mainly aims at helping companies to increase their competitiveness through technological innovation and transfer of its technical know-how to industry. CEA/DRT has also an active policy of start-up creation. More than 20 permanent people are working on the following topics relevant to 4M:
•UV LIGA micromolding fabrication process: thick photoresist photolithography, mould fabrication, hot embossing
•Prototyping of polymers microcomponents: direct fabrication with thick photoresist, polymer Deep Etching, casting
•Assembling and packaging of polymer Microsystems.
•Manufacturing technologies of energy microsources.
•Active Surface treatment (Hydrophobic, Hydrophilic,…)
•Characterization of polymer properties (Strain, viscosity, Surface roughness,…)

RAS contact:
bertrand fillon