Development of micropin fabrication process using tool based micromachining

Abstract

A micropin fabrication process has been developed based on micromachining technology. One group of micromachining technology is microturning. It has the capability to produce three dimensional features on the micro scale. This paper deals with the CNC microturning process. Basically two types of microturning processes are used: straight microturning and taper microturning. Experiments were performed using a programmable multi-purpose miniature machine tool developed for tool based micromachining. NC codes were generated using Borland C++ Builder 6.0. Brass bars of 6 mm diameter have been machined to fabricate the micropin with carbide cutting tools. Work materials were clamped on the spindle which has the facility of three-axis movements. Unlike the conventional processes, the cutting tool has no movement. A step cutting process was applied to eliminate workplace deflection in the microturning process. Finally a micropin was fabricated with 2 mm length. The larger and smaller diameter of the pin are 475 μm and 276 μm, respectively.