TY - GEN
T1 - Production of micro-molding tooling by hot embossing
AU - Dirckx, Matthew
AU - Mazzeo, Aaron D.
AU - Hardt, David E.
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Tooling is especially critical for micro-molding of polymers because the tool defines the geometry of the finished part. Various tool materials and processes have been demonstrated, including etched silicon, machined or electroformed metal, and molded polymers. Adhesion of the part to the tool and differential thermal contraction are frequently cited problems related to micro-molding tooling. Brittle silicon tools are particularly vulnerable to failure during demolding because of adhesion and thermal stress. The current work demonstrates the production of micro-molding tools by hot embossing of thermoplastics. Polymer materials for working tools are selected on the basis of high heat deflection temperature and high interfacial tension with the polymer being embossed. The high thermal resistance of the working tool material enables its use in hot embossing of materials with lower glass transition temperature such as polymethylmethacrylate and cyclo-olefm-polymer, as well as other micromolding processes. The high interfacial tension reduces adhesion between the master mold and the final part, reducing loads on the tools and facilitating demolding. Embossing parameters for a variety of working tool materials, as well as replication fidelity of the working tools and parts and tool-part adhesion are explored. Polymer working tools produced by hot embossing show great promise for manufacturing polymer micro-devices.
AB - Tooling is especially critical for micro-molding of polymers because the tool defines the geometry of the finished part. Various tool materials and processes have been demonstrated, including etched silicon, machined or electroformed metal, and molded polymers. Adhesion of the part to the tool and differential thermal contraction are frequently cited problems related to micro-molding tooling. Brittle silicon tools are particularly vulnerable to failure during demolding because of adhesion and thermal stress. The current work demonstrates the production of micro-molding tools by hot embossing of thermoplastics. Polymer materials for working tools are selected on the basis of high heat deflection temperature and high interfacial tension with the polymer being embossed. The high thermal resistance of the working tool material enables its use in hot embossing of materials with lower glass transition temperature such as polymethylmethacrylate and cyclo-olefm-polymer, as well as other micromolding processes. The high interfacial tension reduces adhesion between the master mold and the final part, reducing loads on the tools and facilitating demolding. Embossing parameters for a variety of working tool materials, as well as replication fidelity of the working tools and parts and tool-part adhesion are explored. Polymer working tools produced by hot embossing show great promise for manufacturing polymer micro-devices.
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U2 - 10.1115/MSEC2007-31046
DO - 10.1115/MSEC2007-31046
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:37349009672
SN - 0791842908
SN - 9780791842904
T3 - Proceedings of the ASME International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference 2007, MSEC2007
SP - 141
EP - 150
BT - American Society of Mechanical Engineers
T2 - 2007 ASME International Conference on Manufacturing Science and Engineering
Y2 - 15 January 2007 through 18 October 2007
ER -