Microtool fabrication methods

Sharp conical microtool fabricated by the drop-off method [23]. 

The most common and simple method used for fabrication of microtools by electrochemical dissolution is known as the drop-off method, in which anodic dissolution occurs at the air-electrolyte interface. The fabricating principle of microtools by EMM utilizing the drop-off method is shown in Fig. 6.8. 

Table 6.1 Technical Guidelines to Fabricate the Lowest Diameter Cylindrical Tlmgsten Microtool by the Drop-off Method [23]...

In EMM, microtool surface finish is very important since it directly affects the mechanical strength of the tool [33] as well as machining accuracy. Therefore, precise microtools of micron scale size with a good surface quality are preferred while fabricating microfeatures like microhole, microgrooves, 3D cavities, and complex profiles. Microtools are generally fabricated in situ in an EMM setup or fabricated by other methods and are used in EMM. Machining accuracy improves with a reduction in... 

---