Micro-wire cutting

D. Zhu, K. Wang, N.S. Qu, Micro wire electrochemical cutting by using in situ fabricated wire electrode, Annals of the CIRP 56 (1) (2007) 241-244. 

In combination of die-sinking EDM and wire-cut EDM, high precision inserts can be manufactured for the production of micro-plastic parts. Figure 4.43 shows the compiexity and precision of this type of process on the example of micro-stamping. Figure 4.44 iilustrates another combination part. 

Figure 3. Microfluidic Device. (A) Time lapse illustrating repulsion the ejection of 1.9 pm fluorescent polystyrene microsphere particles from an electroactive microwell. After dissolution of the membrane, the fluorescent particles can be seen in the well. White hnes outline the gold electrodes features. Images are taken every 2 s (total of 10 s). (B) Schematic of the electroactive microwell drug delivery system developed here. Scale bar represents 2 mm. (C) Micro fluidic device with electrical leads connected to thin copper wires. Inset Magnified view of microchip from above looking at the region near the membrane. (D) To illustrate the electrokinetic transport processes involved in the ejection stage, a finite element analysis of time-dependent species transport of the system is shown. Images show cut view of species concentration every 60 s up to 300 s after the ejection process.

The pH of the gel can be determined by inserting a microelectrode at points along the gel, or a small section can be cut out and dissolved, and the pH measured with a regular set of electrodes. A common set of microelectrodes includes antimony wire for the indicator electrode and a micro calomel electrode for the reference. If you use this pair, you must correct the pH meter reading based upon the half cell reaction. 

Modeling and development of an IPMC based distal tip guide wire stirrer were presented. IPMCs can be cut arbitrarily smaller or larger for applications in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS),... 

Yan J, Uchida K, Yoshihara N, Kuriyagawa T (2009) Fabrication of micro end mills by wire EDM and some micro cutting tests. J Micromech Microeng 19(2) 25004... 

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