Micro-scale rapid prototyping by stereolithography

• Published in: IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation 2001 Vol. 2; pp. 299 - 304 vol.2
• Main Authors: Monneret, S., Provin, C., Le Gall, H.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 2001
• Subjects: Composite materials; Crystalline materials; Light sources; Liquid crystal displays; Manufacturing processes; Micromachining; Polymers; Prototypes; Solids; Stereolithography
• ISBN: 0780372417; 9780780372412
• DOI: 10.1109/ETFA.2001.997698

A new process of microstereolithography to manufacture freeform solid three-dimensional micro-components with outer dimensions in the millimetre size range is presented. It corresponds to a layered micromachining, specially suited to rapid prototyping at the micro scale. Different kinds of materials can be employed, like pure polymers or alumina-based composites. The micromachine is mainly composed of a liquid crystal display as a dynamic mask generator and of a broad-band visible light source. The manufacture of complex three dimensional microparts demonstrates the possibilities of the process specially when concerned with composite alumina-based microstructures. Its availability to realise pure sintered alumina microcomponents is also shown.