Electroplating
Simulating electroplated micro surfaces in 3-D
A H. J. Jeon (1), J Low (1), A. R. Mileham (1), A.N. Bramley (1), C. Johal (2)
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, BA27AY, UK
2 Glacier Vandervell Bearings Ltd, Rugby, UK
Abstract
This paper describes the development, comparison and validation of a 3-D model of the electroplating process. It is based on the current density distribution that is generated using the Finite Element Method (FEM) and is used together with Faraday's law of electrolysis and various material and electrolyte values to determine the local plating depth. It has been developed initially to model the depth of the micro layer deposited on the work surface of an automotive engine’s "big end" shell bearing. Actual plating trials were conducted in a series of controlled laboratory experiments using an industrial type jig and industrial plating conditions. These consisted of a steel cathode (the bearing) and a lead anode. The results described here, in this paper, show good agreement between the 3-D simulation and the actual plating depth and profile and are considered to validate the model sufficiently for it to be used for electroplating tooling design and micro-electroforming.
Multi-Component Micro Injection Moulding – Trends and Developments
V. Piotter(a), G. Finnah(b), J. Prokop(a), R. Ruprecht(a), J. Hausselt(a)
a: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Institute for Materials Research III, P.O. Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
b: Robert Bosch GmbH, Waiblingen, Germany
Abstract
With standard micro injection molding becoming more and more established in practical manufacturing, special variants are attracting increasing attention. Especially the approaches on multi-component micro injection moulding have to be mentioned: As handling and assembly are difficult procedures especially in micro technology, methods to reduce mounting efforts are of high economic importance. By merging of shaping and mounting procedures in one step economic progress as well as new material combinations can be obtained. An interesting approach for the fabrication of metal (or, in principal, ceramic) micro components is the combination of insert injection molding and metal deposition by electroforming. First, an electrically conductive base plate is produced by injection moulding of conductively filled polymers. In a second injection moulding step microstructures consisting of insulating plastics are mounted on these plates. The quasi-infinite conductivity gradient allows controlled electroplating starting at the base plate only, so that defect-free metal micro components can be achieved. As a further variant of micro injection moulding, the development of the so-called MicroPIM process facilitates a large-scale series fabrication technology for metal and ceramic micro components. Combined with multi-component technology, an interesting new approach for micro manufacturing is obtained, i.e. the realization of magnetic/nonmagnetic or conductive/non-conductive material combinations by two-component MicroPIM.
categories
ElectroplatingKTH - Microsystem Technology & Cleanroom fabrication facility
our research and advisory potential: http://www.s3.kth.se/mst/research/index.shtml.
For our cleanroom facilities: http://www.electrumlaboratoriet.se/.
The Microsystem Technology lab (MST) is a part of the department of Signals, Sensors and Systems (S3). Our research is mainly centered around Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) and its applications, with a focus on silicon-based applied sensor and actuator technology. Our research staff has developed a significant number of devices with promising performance. The group fabricates its silicon structures and devices at the KTH microelectronics laboratory, comprising 1200m2 of cleanroom area with all the facilities of small-scale microelectronics and for research on and development of special purpose structures and components in silicon. The group works on applications in the medical field (MedMEMS), the biotechnology field (BioMEMS), optical components (OptoMEMS) and radio frequency signal components (RFMEMS).
wouter
categories
actuators | Assembly & packaging | Automotive | Communications | consultancy | design for manufacture | DNA protein analysis | drug delivery systems | dry etching | Electroplating | flow | gas | general | glass | Mechanical machining | Medical | Micro-fabrication | Micro-fluidics | micro-mixers | Micro-optics | micro-reactors | Micro-sensors & actuators | micro-valve actuators | new materials | pressure | Scientific / Academic Community | sensors | switchesKU Leuven
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.
dominiek reynaerts
categories
acceleration | actuators | Aerospace | Applications | Assembly & packaging | Automotive | blanking/punching | ceramics | coining | diamond turning | drilling | drug delivery systems | Electrical discharge machining (EDM) | Electrochemical machining (ECM) | Electroplating | Focussed Ion Beam (FIB) | force | general | grinding | heat exchangers | Hot/UV embossing | Injection moulding | Laser ablation | LIGA | Manipulation / handling | Markets | Measurement / Metrology | Mechanical machining | Medical | metals | Micro-fabrication | Micro-fluidics | Micro-optics | micro-pump actuators | Micro-sensors & actuators | micro-valve actuators | microreflective optical components | milling | motors | new materials | polishing | polymers | positioning / fixing | pressure | Products | Scientific / Academic Community | sensors | Space science | stereolithography | stress | surface finishing | turningCranfield University
The activity at Cranfield University will involve the integration of activities in two areas: Nanotechnology and Precision Engineering. The Nanotechnology Group at Cranfield University, specialises in fusing micro-engineering and nanotechnology with the industrial application and development of functional materials (especially ferroelectric) to produce novel devices.
Paul B Kirby
categories
acceleration | actuators | Aerospace | ceramics | Communications | consultancy | diamond turning | diffractive optical elements | displays | dry etching | Electroplating | Focussed Ion Beam (FIB) | force | gas | general | grinding | Hot/UV embossing | Injection moulding | Measurement / Metrology | Mechanical machining | Medical | metals | Micro-fabrication | micro-pump actuators | Micro-sensors & actuators | microreflective optical components | milling | motors | new materials | polishing | relays | Scientific / Academic Community | sensors | small scale production | Space science | stress | switches | waveguides and photonic structures
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