One process - various possiblities for innovative microparts
Introducing 4 categories:
High definition Nozzle plates:
applied microSWISS is taking manufacturing Nozzle plates to a new level of innovation.
Conventional patterning methods use overgrowing a resist pattern during electroforming or laser-drilling to achieve the orifices in the nozzle plate. The disadvantages are limitations in orifice-geometry, surface roughness (laser-induced build-up of corner burr) and orifice proximity.
Our nozzle plates are made using the very versatile UV-LiGA process with resist features defining the orifice in its entire geometry thus inherently overcoming any technical disadvantage.
• Freedom in orifice-design and density
• Cylindric or tapered cross-section of the orifice
• Extreme low surface roughness (Ra = 8 -10nm )
Material: Nickel-Phos12 (580HV), Photoepoxy, or combination of both
High-definition nozzle-plates.
High definition watch components:
applied microSWISS is taking manufacturing microstructured watch-components to a new level of innovation and design.
Our watch components are made using the very versatile UV-LiGA process with photoresist features defining an inverted shape of the final part-geometry. More then any other category, microparts need to have vertical sidewalls in order to function mechanically.
• Freedom in design
• Vertical sidewall profiles
• Extreme low surface roughness (Ra = 8 -10nm )
• Possibility of adding wear-resistant coating
Material: Nickel-Phos12 (580HV), non-magnetic, stainless
Collection of different micromechanical watch-components
High definition endoscopic micro-tools:
Micropatterned endoscopic tools are mainly different to watch components with respect to the application and its specific requirements.
Our High definition endoscopic micro-tools are made using the very versatile UV-LiGA process with photoresist features defining an inverted shape of the final part-geometry. More then any other category, endoscopic micro-tools may require certain surface-modifications in order to fulfil medical compatibility.
• Freedom in design
• Vertical sidewall profiles
• Extreme low surface roughness (Ra = 8 -10nm )
• Possibility of adding inert coatings (Au, Pt, Pd)
Material: Nickel-Phos12 (580HV), stainless, optional PVD-coatings
Collection of different micromechanical components.
High definition stencil masks:
applied microSWISS is taking manufacturing Stencil masks to a new level of innovation.
Conventional patterning methods use laser-cut sheet-metal, overgrowing a resist pattern during electroforming to achieve the shape of stencil masks The disadvantages are limitations in pattern resolution, edge definition (laser-induced build-up of corner burr) and feature density.
Our high-definition stencil masks are made using the very versatile UV-LiGA process with resist features defining the entire geometry. Like with nozzle plates, our exclusive manufacturing capability of producing tapered sidewalls lead to less shadowing-effect during PVD or CVD processes.
• Freedom in design and density
• Cylindric or tapered cross-section of the masks
• Extreme low surface roughness (Ra = 8 -10nm )
• Very smooth edges
Material: Nickel, Nickel-Phos12 (580HV)
SEM-Detail of stencil mask with 15° tapered features on a Siemens-star