Fine groove milling of microchannel dies Relationship between tool run-out and groove accuracy

Recently, the use of microchannel chips in micro total analysis systems, which can provide savings of natural resources and energy, has attracted attention in the medical field. Generally, the photolithography technology employed in semiconductor manufacturing is used to manufacture microchannel chip dies. However, it involves several processes such as mask fabrication and the application of a photoresist to a substrate, as well as expensive clean room facilities. In light of this, methods to form a fine groove using a micro-endmill are examined. The effects of the tool run-out of a few micrometers on micro-endmilling, as well as on the groove accuracy of a microgroove, are examined.