*Microcore electroforming is a process that enables the formation of precisely-shaped microscopic cavities and hollows inside a precision electroform or micro-electroform.

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E-mail: carlrodia@strictlynano.com

Electroforming is the unique, elegant process answer to many of the most vexing micro-fabrication problems. The process is capable of precisely replicating virtually any surface shape with astounding accuracy, precision, and reproducibility. In our expert hands electroforming is a unique fabrication, production, and development tool.

A truely 'nanometric' fabrication process technology

Electroforming is a true "bottom-up" nanometric fabrication technology. Carl Rodia coined the phrase, "atom-by-atom," as it applies to the building of a structure using electroforming more than 30 years ago. Truely nanometric fabrication processes like electroforming are rare. These processes build structures from the bottom-up. Other fabrication processes etch, erode or dissolve material creating a relief pattern or structure whose shape often depends on conrolling the flow of light or other forms of radiation through an exposure mask or screen. Alternatively, and in the right hands, electroforming can be controlled to direct the deposition of metal atoms to precisely build micro and nano structures.

Surface features of Master mandrels and sub-mandrels can be replicated in metals such as nickel, gold, copper, and silver to within a few (10 - 20) Angstroms accuracy. And dimensional tolerances of +/- 1 micron can be achieved in controlling electroformed cross-sectional thicknesses.

Precision Electroforming Services:

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Some of Our clients:

Philips, NV

IBM

Sony

Motorola

Allied Signal

American Banknote Holographics

GlaxoSmithKline

Hoechst Celanese Corp.

Akzo-Nobel

Eastman Kodak

Johnson & Johnson

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"The company has provided expert services to technology-based companies

worldwide for more than 25 years."

"Carl Rodia & Associates are experts in precision micro and nano

electroforming processing technology."

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What is Precision electroforming?

(Please refer to MAIN MENU for an informative Metal Finishing Guidebook article on electroforming by Founder, Carl M. Rodia)

Electroforming is the process whereby a metal object is built-up, atom by atom, onto a contoured surface called a mandrel.

Precision electroforming is a process by which nickel or another desired metal is deposited onto a contoured mandrel to a precise tolerance and thickness in order to manufacture objects with a unique shape or surface detail. Often the contoured original or mandrel is a 'one-of-a-kind' object that has been specifically created for its use as the original. Some examples are CD and DVD masters, embossing plates, micro-mesh and special lens molds. Often the surfaces and contours of electroforming mandrels are made to tolerances exceeding ± 0.05 micron. Electroforming can faithfully reproduce these tolerances accurately to 10 - 20 Angstroms measured from Master to replicate.

Some applications for precision electroformed components:

• Compact disc injection mold inserts (Stampers)
• Holographic embossing shims
• Microfluidic chip molds
• Micro-scale medical device components
• DVD molding inserts (Stampers)
• Phonograph record molds (Stampers)
• MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) components including LIGA
• MBMS (Micro BioMedical Systems) components
• Rotogravure printing plates
• Wave guides
• Lens molds and adaptive optics components
• Injection molds and micro injection molds
• Compression molds
• Tooling applications involving precise, intricate surface contours and detail

Micrographs of micro-structures we've fabricated