Micro-mechanics

Femtosecond microfabrication is a new technology for the production of high-precision micromechanical components that can be used in fields such as micromechanics and microrobotics. One example is the use of multiphoton polymerization with hybrid polymers in combination with pyrolysis to create ceramic structures with high mechanical rigidity, which are suitable for the fabrication of micromechanical parts. Another example is selective laser etching (SLE) technology, which enables the fabrication of true 3D glass structures with complex architecture and low surface roughness. This technology can produce structures such as the Geneva gear or fullerene molecule-like structures with high selectivity and aspect ratio.

Send request
Geneva Gear

Geneva Gear.

Examples Industries Processes Products Publications

Manufacturing examples

3D Chain-Mail Structure

Standard 3D printing does not enables printing of movable structures. These structures can be fabricated inside a gel or liquid monomer by using the multiphoton polymerization technique which makes support‑free 3D printing possible.

3D Meso-Spring

3D laser lithography is a suitable technology for the production of high-precision micromechanical components, an example being the single-helix three-turn 3D meso-spring for micro-mechanical applications.

Ceramic Structures

The multiphoton polymerization technique with hybrid polymers in combination with pyrolysis enables the removal of the organic part of the polymer and produces ceramic structures.  Structure shrinkage during pyrolysis is homogeneous and is approximately 25 %.

Geneva Gear

The Geneva gear is an arbitrary-shaped micromechanical component and is one of the most used devices for producing intermittent rotary motion.

Threads for Screws

The SLE technology permits straightforward conversion of the desired CAD design to a 3D micropart. Even mm-size structures with a few micrometers of precision can be printed in this way.

3D Glass Structures

Selective laser etching (SLE) technology enables the fabrication of true 3D glass structures with complex architecture, for instance, fullerene molecule‑like structures.

Bistable Switch

Bistable switches are a versatile and reliable type of switch that can be used in a wide variety of applications. They are an essential component in many modern electronic systems.

 

Applying for Industries

Micro-robotics

Industrial R&D

Watch & Jewelry

Employed Processes

Multi-Photon Polymerization

Microfabrication by multi-photon polymerization is a direct laser-write technique which allows 3D structuring of photopolymers at the micro- and nano-scale.

Selective Laser Etching

Selective laser etching (SLE) is a subtractive laser technology allowing fabrication of complex-shape 3D glass parts with micrometer precision.

Laser Nanofactory

Multi-Photon Polimerization

Multiphoton-polymerization (MPP) is a technology that enables the production of arbitrary shape polymeric structures within submicrometric resolution. First, a photoresist sample is prepared by drop-casting polymer material mixed with a photoinitiator on the glass slide and then pre-baking.

Selective Laser Etching

Selective laser etching (SLE) is a subtractive laser technology allowing fabrication of complex-shape 3D glass parts with micrometer precision.

Contract Manufacturing

Feasibility Studies

A feasibility study is composed of several steps, including researching methods for fabricating micro-structures, fabricating a micro-structure prototype, measuring and aligning the prototype with technical requirements, and finally preparing a study report.

Small Scale Production

Small-scale production is an essential step in the overall process of micro-structure fabrication, helping to ensure that the developed process is effective, efficient, and capable of producing high-quality micro-structures at scale.

Related Publications

Optimization of selective laser etching (SLE) for glass micromechanical structure fabrication

A. Butkutė, T. Baravykas, J. Stančikas, T. Tičkūnas, R. Vargalis, D. Paipulas, V. Sirutkaitis, and L. Janušauskas. Optical Express 23487, Vol. 29, No. 15, 19.07.2021, (2021). DOI: 10.1364/OE.430623.