I am working with microfluidic system for my scientific research and I need a metal master mold. The pattern of the master is like a stamp which has a couple of tiny bars on top a base. The width of the bar is 0.1mm and height is 0.5mm. I am thinking to buy a desktop CNC milling system but I am debating because CNC is not my major. Another option for me is to find a shop to do this. Anyone can help me to find a shop which has micro milling capability and also is willing to do small volume samples? I have different patterns to mill but for each pattern I just need very few samples. I am located in Chicago area. I am will to accept any reasonable price.

Thanks a lot.

what is the spacing between the bars? Can you post a sketch with tolerances and material requirements?

Thanks
Scott

The material could be any metal which could be easily milled, like: stainless steel, aluminum, copper or brass. The tolerance is like ±10% of the dimension in my drawings. I also attached my drawing.

Thanks a lot.

The material could be any metal which could be easily milled, like: stainless steel, aluminum, copper or brass. The tolerance is like ±10% of the dimension in my drawings. I also attached my drawing.

Thanks a lot.



Stick with the brass.

Is there a research machine shop at your university?
Or one at a nearby University that you could use?

I'm only asking because this is the type of work I've done with a medical school research machine shop and now with the engineering school machine shop. Sorry, I can't quote on outside work and we don't have a high speed spindle anyway.

...again, stick with the brass.


Scott

I can create a Solidworks model for you, no cost. version 2007.

I have a Solidworks model. I need to add the corner radius.

here's a jpg.


Scott

Thanks, Scott
I really appreciate your help on making me a Solidworks model. I will take your advice and stick with brass. And if you don’t mind, would you please tell me why brass is my first choice?

A high speed spindle won't be a problem for me or at least I don’t think it is the crucial for my sample because in my mind, a high speed spindle can just make the mold better and a normal spindle can make it. I don’t expect to use the same machines listed in the literature. I just want the mold to be made.

Pang

Hi looking9

what are the corner Radiuses needed & it depends what you want to do with it
as to what material is needed

你是中国人吗？ 我看了你的名字。 我只好奇了。。。。。

Here's the models.

Scott

I have Edrawings of both also, posted below.
You'll need the viewer from solidworks.com

...and zcases said:
You are Chinese? I read your name. I just curious about the.......

:-)

edrawings and models.

You'll need edrawings (free) from solidworks


Scott

Pang,

If you are flexible with the sizes of the inside radius, it will be less costly to make. Say a inside radius of .25mm or .30mm would be a bit easier or even bigger.


Scott

:rainfro:Yes, I'm Chinese.Good eyes. 是的，我是中国人。你的眼力不错。

Hi,Scott
Thank you very much for your edrawings and models. And are you Chinese too,because you can read Chinese?:confused:

No, not me.

I used Google tranlator.


Scott

Sorry to hijack the thread. No - I'm not Chinese, but I have been studying your language for about 3 years now. I take any chance I get to practice.

谢谢您！
柯思高

Thanks
Scott (zcases)

After all that, I can't help with the micromilling anyway. Unless as someone else stated the inner radii could be much larger..................

Thanks, 柯思高. You are more than welcome to practice Chinese with me anytime you want.

Pang

Check out Kern. www.kernprecision.com

They sell A very high end micro-machine and I believe they also do contract machining as well.

Good Luck

hsm400,
Thanks for you suggestion. KERN is the CNC system which was used in the paper I cited. However I did not find any contractor information on their website. Anyone knows about their contractors in USA?

Hi Pang,

If you you are only making one or two of these, anyone with a 10K or 15K spindle should be able to make this for you using brass material.


Scott

Hi Pang

I have not heard what corner radus you want this will determine who can
do this you said they finished with a 25um cutter that is .001 dia approximate so
just to get a cutter to do that at .5mm /.0196" deep will cost a lot of $$$
a .6mm/.0236" & .8mm/.0314" dia ( these numbers are approximate ) is around $70/$80
in carbide .2mm/.0078" would give just under .004" corner radus

Thank you all for helping me. I attached the paper in the literature. I also wonder if the corner could be cut manually. Just a stupid idea.

Click on the US flag. It should have contact information.

About pixburghenat's idea "anyone with a 10K or 15K spindle should be able to make this ": I call a couple of local CNC shops and they just worried about the corner and told me that they couldn't make it. I'm not sure about their spindle speed and how can I talk them into it in order to let them make this small mold stamp for me?

I got the Kern contact information. Thanks a lot.