Smallest puzzle in the world
- Date:
- July 15, 2013
- Source:
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Summary:
- Researchers have created three puzzle pieces of less than 1 mm in size each that may be put together to make what is likely the smallest puzzle in the world. For production, researchers used a new process to manufacture microstructured casting molds. Inexpensive series production is combined with highest precision on the microscale to produce such things as components for watches, engines, or medical products. Now, large series of smallest parts can be injection-molded with the highest accuracy.
- Share:
Researchers have created three puzzle pieces of less than 1 mm in size each that may be put together to make what is likely the smallest puzzle in the world. For production, researchers used LIGA2.X, a new process to manufacture microstructured casting molds at KIT's ANKA synchrotron source. Inexpensive series production is combined with highest precision on the microscale to produce e.g. components in watches, engines, or medical products. Now, large series of smallest parts can be injection-molded with the highest accuracy.
The LIGA process can be used to produce microstructures from various metals, ceramics, or plastics. The acronym stands for lithography, electrodeposition, and molding. LIGA allows to produce structures with high aspect ratios (ratio between height and smallest width) and opens up various molding options. The process developed in the 1980s in Karlsruhe is subject to constant further development. Now, KIT scientists have conceived a new modification of the LIGA process. .
The LIGA2.X process allows for an inexpensive series production of plastic microparts of less than 0.5 mm3 in volume. So far, a substrate plate linking all molded parts has been required for demolding. LIGA2.X does without this layer and allows for direct and separate injection molding of such microparts. Difficult time- and cost-consuming separation of the parts from the substrate plate is no longer needed. "LIGA2.X does not only reduce costs, but also ensures higher degrees of freedom in the arrangement of structured mold nests in multiple molds," explains Jochen Heneka, scientist at the Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT) and Institute for Applied Materials -- Material Process Technology (IAM-WPT) of KIT.
The injection molding tools applied in LIGA2.X consist of three plates to demold the parts from the molds and four LIGA molds that can be installed in a tool plate and exchanged. By moving the first and second molding plate away from each other, the part is released from the LIGA mold. With the help of the third plate, the gate is removed properly. To produce the microstructured LIGA molds with the help of X-ray deep-etch lithography, the scientists used the ANKA synchrotron source on the Campus North of KIT.
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is a public corporation according to the legislation of the state of Baden-Württemberg. It fulfills the mission of a university and the mission of a national research center of the Helmholtz Association. Research activities focus on energy, the natural and built environment as well as on society and technology and cover the whole range extending from fundamental aspects to application. With about 9000 employees, including nearly 6000 staff members in the science and education sector, and 24000 students, KIT is one of the biggest research and education institutions in Europe. Work of KIT is based on the knowledge triangle of research, teaching, and innovation.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Cite This Page: