Micromilling - High Potential Technology for Micromechanical Parts

Many microfabrication processes lack the ability to structure wear resistant materials and to generate three dimensional geometries for small and medium lot sizes. Micromilling is a promising approach to overcome these limits of common microfabrication processes. In this paper it will be demonstrated that micromilling of steel with tungsten carbide tools shows good results if prerequisites regarding the tool and workpiece material structure and properties are fulfilled. For further miniaturization of structure details down to dimensions of 30–50 µm the diameters of the tools have to be reduced. This can no longer be done by grinding. In consequence new forceless processes like laser or ion beam machining are investigated. First results of structured end mills as well as milled structures will be presented.