Prototype development of micro-milling machine for micro-product

Micro-milling technology is improving to fulfill the micro-product demand in term of shape, accuracy, complexity, etc. Although commercial micro-milling machines are available, however a low-cost micro-milling machine is still required to enhance the micro-milling technology. Hadia Micromill-5X is a NC micro-milling machine prototype. Each axis of the machine are moved by a stepper motor. The motor is driven by sending pulses corresponds to NC point. The linear axes movement accuracy was measured by using a Laser Interferometer. In producing micro-parts, an integrated CAD/CAM software is used to design the micro-part and planning the manufacturing process. The CAD/CAM software produces a CL file which then transformed to NC file through a postprocessor. Then, the NC file executes by Hadia Micromill-5X to perform a micro-milling cutting process. Contoured thin-wall with maximum thickness of 50 μm and 150 μm, micro-impellers with a diameter of 2 mm and 3 mm were successfully machined.