Getting into Micro-Machining

[adaptforge]

Where does one begin to research micro-machining?

[fr0st]

www.google.com

On a more serious note, a lot of micro machining isn't actually machining. The really small stuff uses photo lithography similar to how they make transistors. EDM is common aswell but can only do larger parts (by micro standards).

Mill's don't come close to the kind of accuracy you need, even the vibrations they make will wreck the part your making.

[ImanCarrot]

Very true....

However... this is what I do:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_turning

I can get +/- a couple of microns easy peasy (that's a thousandth of a millimeter) and nanometers are a familiar phrase in my lab hehe.

Vibrations from the factory next door does cause surface finish problems when they drive their forklift about though.

My machine is vibration isolated though, on an epoxy granite plinth which rests on air pads- all the axes are floating on air too and the spindle is an air bearing spindle (temperature controlled)... my digital readouts go to 5 decimal places in millimeters... if you prod the axes with your pinky the readouds change

Hehe it can be done if you spend enough cash.

Vibration is my hated enemy lol and if the temperature in my lab changes by 2 deg C it messes everything up.

However, the best bit of equipment I have is a little bit of wood next to the machine which I touch for good luck every time before pressing the big green button!

[harryn]

The diamond turners are definitely a "special" group of people. No one else really understands or believes what they do works either, but we all enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Anyway, another area a bit closer to what you are probably thinking is related to MEMS. Here is a wiki link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEMS

I am involved in electron beam lithography, so feel free to contact me if you need some help in that area. We have access to line widths in the sub 5nm range on a contract basis.

Interestingly, one of the largest users of MEMS is the car industry for air bag sensors.