2GL offers enormous design freedom to fabricate discrete and smooth topographies, symmetric and asymmetric microstructures, including challenging geometries such as steep slopes, sharp corners and high aspect ratios, such as required in state-of-the-art microoptics.
2GL mastering fits into replication processes
However, one of today’s challenges in manufacturing microstructures is the scalability of the production chain of these high-precision parts. 2GL also enables rapid and precise microfabrication of master templates for replication with various established technologies such as nanoimprint lithography, micro injection molding and hot embossing. Thus, 2GL-printed structures are transferred to hard stamps such as nickel shims and soft stamps such as wafer-scale working stamps for subsequent replication. These working tools replicate the design and quality of the original master structure and are scalable for series production. Combining 2GL with replication technologies accelerates the transfer from functional prototypes to serial production and shortens time-to-market.
How to access high-volume production
To jointly pave the way for high-volume production of microstructures, Nanoscribe, EV Group, 3D AG and kdg opticomp offer their expertise and infrastructure to prospects and customers. Nanoscribe supports customers in validating their product design for 2GL prototyping and mastering. EV Group provides process development that includes step-and-repeat mastering services to help customers to ramp up a pilot line production based on NIL. 3D AG offers their expertise and tools to upscale micro and nanostructures with replication based on nickel shims. Furthermore, kdg opticomp offers injection molding know-how and infrastructure for a wide range of molds with macro to microscopic geometries made of thermoplastics.
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