Micro Machining In Plastic Injection Mold Making

Micro machining is a fascinating and challenging technology that is constantly pushing the boundaries of manufacturing capabilities. Many applications can be found in the medical and plastic injection molding industries.

What is micro machining?

According to Makino, one of the leading machine tool builders that specializes in micro machining, it is:

Micro-machining is the "manufacturing of the part or the mold or die to produce that part where the part itself is either 10 millimeters or less, or it has a feature size of 0.10 mm or less. "What we're saying is that the part will fit into a 10-millimeter cube, or it will have a feature size of 0.10 mm. This applies to both production and mold/die operations.

For the layman, this means small, as in hair size small. My average hair diameter is about .10 mm. When you see the cutting tools used to machine such tiny details, you have to ask yourself: "How did anyone ever make this thing?" It looks impossible.

Yet there are companies that build plastic injection molds exclusively for such miniature parts. Micro machining is an everyday fact of life.

There are also companies that injection mold microscopic plastic parts from these micro machined injection molds. They do it every day of the week and have developed highly sophisticated processes.

Do you need specialized machines for micro machining?

Yes, you do. Imagine trying to hold micron tolerances in a conventional machine tool! Several tool builders have dedicated departments to advancing the technologies required for micro machining.

Specialize sinker EDM's, Wire EDM's and Vertical machining centers have been developed just for the purpose of micro machining. There are also specialized end mills, drills, coolants, tool holders, graphites for EDM electrodes, wire for Wire EDM and much more.

What are some applications for micro machining?

Some good examples would include surgical staples, miniature gears, custom molded medical parts for hearing aids, and computer components. When you see the tiny, microscopic parts you are always in awe of the details and how anyone couold do this