Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers (한국생산제조학회지)

The Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers (한국생산제조학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Manufacturing of Micro-needle Using Micro-EDM Process

마이크로 EDM공정을 이용한 마이크로 바늘의 제조

  • Lee, Choon-Mee (Department of Mechanical and Information Engineering, University of Seoul) ;
  • Kwon, Won Tae (Department of Mechanical and Information Engineering, University of Seoul)
  • Received : 2017.02.15
  • Accepted : 2017.05.12
  • Published : 2017.06.15
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Micro-needles are used as transferring devices for sampling of tiny constitute substances from biological bodies. Typically, nickel is used as a coating to improve the rigidity of micro-needles. This study introduces the methodology to manufacture a WC needle with very high hardness and toughness. Micro-EDM technology was used to manufacture micro-needles with holes $130{\mu}m$ in diameter and $2300{\mu}m$ in length. A micro-needle was aligned to the micro-EDM electrode using a custom two degree-of-freedom alignment system. A three-step manufacturing technique was developed to drill a micro-hole using a WC electrode. In the first process, an electrode $105{\mu}m$ in diameter was used to make a hole. Electrodes of 90 and $105{\mu}m$ diameters were used in the second and third process, respectively. Consequently, a WC micro-needle with an inner hole of $135{\mu}m$ diameter, length of $2300{\mu}m$, and outer diameter of $300{\mu}m$ was developed.

Keywords

References

  1. Lee, J. A., Lee, S. W., Park, S. I., Lee, S. S., Lee, K. C., 2010, Fabrication of Carbon Microneedle Arrays with High Aspect Ratios and The Control of Hydrophobicity of These Arrays for Bio-Applications, J. Kor. Soc. Mech. Eng., 34:11 1721-1725.
  2. Lee, K., Lee, H. C., Lee, D., Jung, H., 2010, Drawing Lithography: Three-Dimensional Fabrication of an Ultrahigh-Aspect-Ratio Microneedle, J. Adv. Mater., 22:4 483-486. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.200902418
  3. Cho, P. J., 2003, Characteristics of RC circuit with Transistor in Micro-EDM, A Thesis for a Doctorate, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea.
  4. Jung, J. H., Kwon, W. T., 2010, Optimization of EDM for multiple performance characteristics using Taguchi method and Grey relational analysis, J. Mech. Sci. Tech, 24:5 1-6.
  5. Masuzawa, T., Fujino M., Kobayashi, K., 1985, Wire Electro-discharge grinding for Micro-machining, Ann CIRP, 34:1 431-434. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0007-8506(07)61805-8
  6. Masuzawa, T., Kuo, C. L., Fujino., M., 1994, A Combined Electrical Machining Process for Micro Nozzle Fabrication, Ann CIRP, 43:1 189-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0007-8506(07)62193-3
  7. Yu, Z. Y., Masuzawa, T., Fujino., M., 1998, Micro-EDM for Three-dimensional Cavities-development of Uniform wear method, Ann CIRP, 47:1 169-172. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0007-8506(07)62810-8
  8. Kuo, L., Masuzawa., T., 1991, A Mirco-pipe fabrication process, Proc. IEEE MEMS, 91 80-85.
  9. Allen. D. M., Lecheheb., A., 1996, Micro Electro-discharge Machining of Ink Jet Nozzle: Optimum Selection of Material and Machining Parameter, J. Mater. Proc. Tech., 58 53-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/0924-0136(95)02107-8
  10. Liu, H. S., Yan, B. H., Chen, C. L., Huang, F. Y., 2005, Application of Micro-EDM combined with high-frequency dither grinding to micro hole machining, Int. J. Mach. Tool. Manuf., 46 80-97.
  11. Jahan, M. P., Wong, Y. S., Rahman, M., 2009, A Study on the Quality Micro-hole Machining of Tungsten Carbide by Micro-EDM Process Using Transistor and RC-type pulse Generator, J. Mater. Proc. Tech., 209:4 1706-1716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2008.04.029
  12. Kim, G. M., Kim, B. H., Chu, C. N., 1999, Machining Rate and Electrode Wear Characteristics in Micro-EDM of Micro-hole, J. Kor. Soc. Prec. Eng., 16:10 94-100.