<title>Development of metal-forming machine for fabricating micromechanical components</title>

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a die-forming machine for fabricating 3D microcomponents. Today, most micromachines or devices are fabricated by chemical etching of silicon. From a practical point of view, fabrication using metals as the raw materials should be studied. In this study, die-forming of medical forceps, as an example of a typical medical microtool, was investigated. The forceps currently used are fabricated by a combination of precision machining and hand finishing, thus requiring a considerably long period of time and high costs. We have developed a fabrication technique for metal medical components based on mould-forming. Use of this method results in excellent productivity but there are restriction on the shape of fabricated components. In order to overcome this problem, a micropress system that exclusively fits the fabrication of 3D microcomponents was designed and developed. This is based on the turret punch press, and material processing operations such as rotation of the material and other functions are incorporated. Also, round wire is used as the raw material. The results of practical forming experiments confirmed that the developed micropress reliable for fabricating microcomponents.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.