Micro-robotics

The use of 3D femtosecond laser printing in microrobotics is a relatively new and emerging field that involves the use of 3D printing technology to create highly detailed and complex microscale structures using femtosecond lasers. This technology is being used to create a wide range of microscale components, such as sensors, actuators, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), for use in a variety of applications, including manufacturing, healthcare, and aerospace. The use of femtosecond lasers allows for the creation of highly precise and intricate structures, which can improve the performance of microrobotic systems. Additionally, 3D femtosecond laser printing can be used to produce large quantities of microscale components quickly and efficiently, making it a valuable tool for researchers and developers in the field of microrobotics.

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Rotor Switch
Applications Processes Products Publications Related Examples

Manufacturing examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

Application fields

Micro-mechanics

Femtosecond microfabrication in micromechanics applications uses techniques like multiphoton polymerization and selective laser etching to produce flexible and high-precision 3D structures. These structures, made of materials like polymers and ceramics, can be used in various fields like micromechanics and microrobotics and are ideal for applications that require movable assembly-free components.

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

Mesoscale laser 3D printing

L. Jonušauskas, D. Gailevičius, S. Rekštytė, T. Baldacchini, S. Juodkazis, and M. Malinauskas. Opt. Express 27, 15205-15221 (2019). DOI: 10.1364/OE.27.015205.

Stitchless support-free 3D printing of free-form micromechanical structures with feature size on-demand

L. Jonušauskas, T. Baravykas, D. Andrijec, T. Gadišauskas, and V. Purlys. Sci Rep 9, 17533 (2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54024-1.

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.

Femtosecond Laser Assisted 3D Etching Using Inorganic-Organic Etchant

A. Butkutė, G. Merkininkaitė, T. Jurkšas, J. Stančikas, T. Baravykas, R. Vargalis, T. Tičkūnas, J. Bachmann, S. Šakirzanovas, V. Sirutkaitis, and L. Jonušauskas. Materials 2022, 15, 2817, (2022). DOI: 10.3390/ma15082817.