Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Electroplating/electroforming onto etched silicon
Q. I am a postgraduate student working on a joint project with the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering in Singapore.
For this project (which could have an industrial development), I need a reverse replica of patterns etched in my silicon chip. This could be formed by electroplating. Features dimensioned are ranging from 20 to 100 microns and would be 10 microns high.
We are therefore looking for a company that would agree to process it for us. Please give also a rough idea of the price asked for such a service.
NUS/ IMRE Singapore
1999
adv.
Here in America, a company that specializes in this type of prototyping/electroforming is NiCoForm [a finishing.com supporting advertiser] [Rochester, NY].
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. Dear Sir
Reading my letter again, I realised that I made a mistake: I believe what we need would be more electroforming rather than electroplating. Does that company also make this kind of work? Would there be other ones?
The idea is to use this metallic master to pattern some polymer. How small can those patterns be, so that it wouldn't break while removing the hardened polymer? How thick could be such a metallic master? It must be solid enough, for an easy handling.
With best regards, C.Robert
NUS / IMRE Singapore
1999
A. Yes, I would call it electroforming too. I'm sure there are many companies that could do such work other than our advertisers.
The patterns can be darned small. Compact disks are molded around electroformed masters, fresnel lenses and diffraction gratings are stamped with them.
Plating/electroforming to sufficient thickness for mechanical integrity is no problem at all.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
1999
adv.
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