Albright Technologies, Inc. has been producing innovative prototype rapid tooling and commercial plastic products for more than a decade. They began expanding into the micro tooling area about 4 years ago.

Dave Comeau president of Albright Technologies:

"We have been working on MEMS fabrication of thermoplastic parts. We believe the most viable method of producing MEMS devices is with molded parts. Phase one was to machine a model of the part. We chose to mill a gear with an OD of 150 microns with 0.5 micron resolution, using a 25 micron end mill with 75 micron length of cut."

The 3D micro milling machine, designed by Albright, has an axis of resolution in the sub micron range, with the ability to process any machinable material. We believe it is possible to mill 1-2 micron features and to do it in true 3D.

Future directions include the creation of an injection molding process to mold parts based on models milled in the machine.

Albright Technologies is working closely with Professor Joey Mead at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell to investigate these new applications of Albright’s micro molding technology. Albright is currently looking for additional applications and potential partners for this technology.