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A new record has been achieved for the aspect ratio measurement of micro structures.
Working in conjunction with a major equipment manufacturer, Prof. Lars Mattsson, leader of the Metrology Division of the 4M Network of Excellence, reports that a new aspect ratio of 50:1 was recently achieved in laboratory measurements following the optimisation of an existing optical metrology system.
Prof. Mattsson, who is Chair of Industrial Metrology and Optics at KTH, Stockholm in Sweden, has benefitted from his membership of the 4M Network to visit other laboratories and audit their metrology facilities, comparing the performance of various systems using X-ray lithography manufactured artefacts made within the Network’s own Polymer Division.
“There are currently no suitable standards in high aspect ratio micro-metrology, and it is an issue that will impact on many of the growth areas in micro-manufacturing” said Mattsson. ”Different equipment developed by a variety of companies and being used by operators in a number of ways inevitably leads to uncertainty in the measurements provided. And strangely enough the worst measurement errors were discovered in the horizontal x-y plane at the top of deep microstructures. This was a complete surprise for the instrument manufacturers as well.”
“In 4M I have been able to observe different equipment being operated in different environments on standard test pieces. This has enabled me to establish the measurement limitations of today’s equipment, and take this information to metrology equipment manufacturers as useful information for future instrument development.”
This has recently lead to Prof. Mattsson working with one major equipment manufacturer and, in collaboration with them, improving the performance of their optical measurement system such that it was able to achieve measurements of a star shaped microstructure with an aspect ratio of 50:1, the actual dimensions being 400 µm : 8 µm.
The 4M Network of Excellence will soon become the 4M Association, with membership open to all. For more information visit:
www.4m-net.org/4MAssociation
A multimillion pound engineering research laboratory has been opened at the University of Bradford.
Worth some Ł2.2 million, the Centre for Micro & Nano Moulding facility at the Yorkshire university is set to complement the establishment's Polymer Interdisciplinary Research Centre.
Professor Phil Coates, pro-vice-chancellor for research at the University, said: "This state-of-the-art development makes Bradford the premier centre for polymer process engineering (PPE) research in the world.
"PPE is, in my view, a key bridge between industry and academics, who need to link together more readily."
The facility is set to produce small scale precision moulding and compounding of polymers, nanocomposites and biomedical materials for use in the telecoms and medical industries.
Headed by research lecturer Dr Ben Whiteside, the centre currently employs some six members of staff.
 
PDM is emerging as the leading Industry event for polymer processing in the UK. The Centre was represented with a trade stand in a very prominent position which attracted a great deal of interest from a number of delegates.
Presentations were delivered by Prof Coates and Dr Whiteside in parallel sessions which further raised the profile of Centre activities at the event.
The minutes from the meeting on the 8th March are now available in the member's area. The presentations from the meeting have been recorded with audio and can be viewed by clicking here
Hello members,
A Micromolding research project is being developed. Lea-Artibai Polytechnics School, which is integrated in MCC: Mondragon Cooperative Corporation (one of the ten most important business group in Spain) is leading it.
This important project's main aims are the learning of the technology and the different fields that are related, for then learn them to our Polymer Engineering students. After this project finishes, our objective is develope some installations in the school. Working in this direction, this technology knowledge is going to be increased.
A new suite has opened at the University to centralise facilities for product property evaluation. Capabilities include:-
- Surface Property Measurement
- Using Atomic Force Microscopy, White Light Interferometry and Optical Microscopy techniques
- Mechanical Property Measurement
- Using Contact Area Microscopy and Nanoindenting Techniques
- Clean Room Facilities
- For studies on biological materials
- Particle Size Assessment
- Density Measurement
- Moisture Measurement
The new laboratory adjoins the Computer Modelling Research Centre which has also seen extensive refurbishment and hardware upgrades. These two facilities together will see extensive application for the modelling and assessment of micromoulding related activities.
The laboratory was made possible by investment from the Science Research Investment Fund (SRIF), offered by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
The surface measurement section of the new laboratory
The new Fanuc machine bought by Prof Coates for the University of Bradford at the K04 show is due for delivery this Friday. The machine, one of Fanuc's latest models, provides a maximum injection pressure of 3,000 bar and a peak injection speed of 800mm/s.
We will be using the new machine for further micromoulding development work as well as high precision surface replication studies. The machine will also be used to generate high shear rheology data for micromoulding materials using a custom nozzle attachment. This will allow material characterisation at shear rates which far exceed those achievable using conventional rheometric methods and provide vital data for process characterisation and computer modelling studies.
The new Fanuc will replace a long-term loan machine that Bradford has had from the same manufacturer. It will be joined towards the end of the year by two new Battenfeld Microsystem 50 micro-moulding machines.
All of the new equipment will be used to further extend the research into micro and nano-scale moulding that is carried out within the University's school of Polymer Engineering.
The MNT Northern event was held in Leeds on Friday 12th November. There were a number of stands representing a range of associated technologies including materials manufacture, product design and product assessment equipment.
ukMIG was represented with a stand illustrating how the group functions and also had products on display with a pc-linked optical microscope. The stand generated a high level of interest and it was interesting that a number of visitors had no idea of the kinds of products that were viable using micromoulding manufacture. It is hoped that the contacts gained from our presence may entice more members to the group and increase our expertise in certain areas, in particular in the area of material formulations for micromoulding, which is an area where we are currently slightly lacking.
Arthur was also in attendance with a separate Deckel Grinders/Kern stand which was located next to the ukMIG display. He reported that there was a greater interest in micromachining technology at this event than that at the southern trade shows.
Full report to come - with pictures.
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