![Sample our Engineering & Technology journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5933/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Engineering-Tech.jpg"})
Abstract
Micro-hot embossing is a highly effective process for fabricating microdevices with microfeatures in polymeric materials. One of the most troublesome problems in precision machinery industry is the time and expense needed to produce a mold for microreplication. This study presents an approach of manufacturing a hybrid mold with microfeatures that is fast, cost-effective, and easy to produce. A precision second silicone rubber mold is a key technology for fabricating a precision hybrid mold with microfeatures in the proposed optimal manufacturing process. Aluminum 6061 alloy was chosen as a backing mold plate in the hybrid mold for reducing the manufacturing cost and improved the thermal conductivity of epoxy resin composites. A hybrid mold was equipped with conformal cooling channels to reduce the cycle time in the micro-hot embossing cycles. The developed hybrid mold can be used to fabricate precision micro-optical components using micro-hot embossing molding.