• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
• /
• v.20 no.12
• /
• pp.2094-2104
• /
• 2006

As demands for complex microstructures with high aspect ratios have increased, the existing methods, MEMS and LIGA, have had difficulties coping with the number of masks and fabricable heights. A microstereolithography technology can meet these demands because it has no need of masks and is capable of fabricating high aspect ratio microstructures. In this technology, 3D part is fabricated by stacking layers, 2D sections, which are sliced from STL file, and the Dynamic Image Projection process enables the resin surface to be cured by a dynamic image generated with $DMD^{TM}$ (Digital Micromirror Device) and one irradiation. In this paper, we address optical design process for implementing this microstereolithography system that takes the light path based on DMD operation and image-formation on the resin surface using an optical design program into consideration. To verify the performance of this implemented microstereolithography system, complex 3D microstructures with high aspect ratios were fabricated.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
• /
• 2006.05a
• /
• pp.95-98
• /
• 2006

LCD-BLU (Back Light Unit) is one of kernel parts of LCD unit. The fabrication method of a 3-D micro mold patterned with micro-lenses for the LGP (Light Guiding Plate), one of the most important parts of LCD-BLU, was presented. Instead of dot pattern made by etching, 3-D optical pattern design with $50{\mu}m$ micro-lens was applied in the present study. The micro-lens pattern fabricated by modified LiGA with thermal reflow process was applied to the optical design of LGP. The positive micro-lens patterned injection mold with different aspect ratios (i.e. 0.3 and 0.4) was fabricated with modified LiGA with thermal reflow process. The brightness of LCD-BLU increased as aspect ratio of micro-lens increased.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
• /
• v.14 no.3 s.75
• /
• pp.245-250
• /
• 2005

Recently, micro machining technology for high precision mold becomes more interested for mass production of high performance optical parts micro-grooved on the surface, which is under very active development due to its effectiveness in the view point of optical performance. Mechanical micro machining technology now has more competitiveness on lithography, MEMS or LIGA processes which have some problems to fabricate especially cylinder type of groove in such as lenticular lens for illumination angle modulation system. In this study. a lenticular lens mold with U-type micro groove is fabricated making utilizing of the benefit of the mechanical micro machining technology. A shaping machining process is adapted using 3 axis degree of freedom micro machining system and single crystal natural diamond tool. A brass and a electroless nickel materials are used for mold fabrication. Machining force, chip shape and machined surface are investigated from the experiment and an optimal machining condition is found based on the examined problems from the micro cutting process.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.17-22
• /
• 2011

Recently, analyzing system is studying for applying to biomedical engineering field, actively. Micro fluidics control system has been manufactured using LIGA (Lithographie Galvanoformung und Abformung), Etching, Lithography and Laser etc. However, it is difficult that above-mentioned methods are applied to fabrication of precision mold master efficiently because of long processing time and rising cost of equipments. Therefore, in this study, micro EDM and micro WEDG system were developed to analyze machining characteristics with tool wear, surface roughness and process time. Then, optimal machining conditions could be obtained from the results of analysis. As the results, mold master of staggered herringbone mixer which has a high mixing efficiency, one of passive mixer of Lab-on-a-chip, could be fabricated from micro pattern(< 50um) using micro EDM successfully.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.34 no.7
• /
• pp.859-866
• /
• 2010

In this study, microinjection molding process using the newly developed micromold system, namely modularized and sectioned micromold system (MSMS), has been carried out for a replication of multi-level microstructures. The present MSMS consisted of several micromold modules, each having cross-sectional microstructures on the top surface. The micromold modules were precisely fabricated by deep X-ray lithography and subsequent nickel electroforming. By assembling the micromold modules, an MSMS having multi-level microstructures, which could be used as a mold system in micromolding processes, was obtained. In this manner, polymeric multi-level microstructures, such as the triangular prism microstructures on a stepped surface, were successfully replicated by the microinjection molding process.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.259-267
• /
• 2002

We present a novel 3D fabrication method with single X-ray process utilizing an X-ray mask in which a micro-actuator is integrated. An X-ray absorber is electroplated on the shuttle mass driven by the integrated micro-actuator during deep X-ray exposures. 3D microstructures are revealed by development kinetics and modulated in-depth dose distribution in resist, usually PMMA. Fabrication of X-ray masks with integrated electrothermal xy-stage and electrostatic actuator is presented along with discussions on PMMA development characteristics. Both devices use $20-\mu\textrm{m}$-thick overhanging single crystal Si as a structural material and fabricated using deep reactive ion etching of silicon-on-insulator wafer, phosphorous diffusion, gold electroplating, and bulk micromachining process. In electrostatic devices, $10-\mu\textrm{m}-thick$ gold absorber on $1mm{\times}1mm$ Si shuttle mass is supported by $10-\mu\textrm{m}-wide$, 1-mm-long suspension beams and oscillated by comb electrodes during X-ray exposures. In electrothermal devices, gold absorber on 1.42 mm diameter shuttle mass is oscillated in x and y directions sequentially by thermal expansion caused by joule heating of the corresponding bent beam actuators. The fundamental frequency and amplitude of the electrostatic devices are around 3.6 kHz and $20\mu\textrm{m}$, respectively, for a dc bias of 100 V and an ac bias of 20 VP-P (peak-peak). Displacements in x and y directions of the electrothermal devices are both around $20{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$at 742 mW input power. S-shaped and conical shaped PMMA microstructures are demonstrated through X-ray experiments with the fabricated devices.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2005.06a
• /
• pp.1214-1218
• /
• 2005

As demands for precision parts are increased, existing methods to fabricate them such as MEMS, LIGA technology have the technical limitations like high precision, high functionality and ultra miniaturization. A micro-stereolithography technology based on $DMD^{TM}$(Digital Micromirror Device) can meet these demands. In this technology, STL file is the standard format as the same of conventional rapid prototyping system, and 3D part is fabricated by stacking layers that are sliced as 2D section from STL file. Whereas in conventional method, the resin surface is cured as scanning laser beam spot according to the section shape, but in this research, we use integral process which enables to cure the resin surface at one time. In this paper, we deal with the dynamic pattern generation and $DMD^{TM}$ operation to fabricate micro structures. Firstly, we address effective slicing method of STL file, conversion to bitmap, and dynamic pattern generation. Secondly, we suggest $DMD^{TM}$ operation and optimal support manufacturing for $DMD^{TM}$ mounting. Thirdly, we examine the problems on continuous stacking layers, and their improvements in software aspects.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
• /
• v.50 no.11
• /
• pp.575-580
• /
• 2001

In this paper, using $500\mum-thickness\; (100)\; silicon\; wafer,\; flat\; 65\mum-thickness$ silicon mirror plates were fabricated through dry etching and wet etching, and $45\mum-depth$ grooved driving electrodes were fabricated through UV-LIGA process. Four shapes of the driving electrode were fabricated: twenty four grooves of the $50\mum-width$, twelve grooves of the $100\mum-width$, six grooves of the $200\mum-width$, and no grooves on the driving electrode. Fabricated mirror plate size and spring size are $2400\times2400\times65\mum3\; and \;500\times10\times65\mum3,$ respectively. Mirror plate parts and driving electrodes were assembled into the scanning mirrors. Measured natural resonance frequencies were about 600Hz which have error within $\pm 2%$ to calculated value. Due to the squeeze effect in the narrow gap between the mirror plate and the driving electrode, measured resonance frequencies were reduced as raising the amplitude of the mirror plate. In a case of driving electrode without grooves, the resonance frequency was reduced largely, compared with a case of driving electrode with grooves. According to the experimental results, squeeze effect was smaller in the driving electrode with smaller-width and many grooves. Therefore, the driving electrode with smaller-width and many grooves was effective in low voltage and high speed operation.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.312-320
• /
• 2003

The basic mechanistic aspects of the interaction and practical considerations related to polymer ablation were briefly reviewed. Photochemical and photothermal effects, which highly depend on laser wavelength have close correlation with each other. In this study, multi-scanning laser ablation processing of polymer with a DPSS (Diode Pumped Solid State) 3rd harmonic Nd:YVO$_4$ laser (355 nm) was developed to fabricate a three-dimensional micro shape. Polymer fabrication using DPSSL has some advantages compared with the conventional polymer ablation process using KrF and ArF laser with 248 nm and 193 nm wavelength. These advantages include pumping efficiency and low maintenance cost. And this method also makes it possible to fabricate 2D patterns or 3D shapes rapidly and cheaply because CAD/CAM software and precision stages are used without complex projection mask techniques. Photomachinability of polymer is highly influenced by laser wavelength and by the polymer's own chemical structure. So the optical characteristics of polymers for a 355 nm laser source is investigated experimentally and theoretically. The photophysical and photochemical parameters such as laser fluence, focusing position, and ambient gas were considered to reduce the plume effect which re-deposits debris on the surface of substrate. These phenomena affect the surface roughness and even induce delamination around the ablation site. Thus, the process parameters were tuned to optimize for gaining precision surface shape and quality. This maskless direct photomachining technology using DPSSL could be expected to manufacture tile prototype of micro devices and molds for the laser-LIGA process.