Development of a VCM-driven micro-impact process technology

To help overcome the difficulty associated with the efficient production of large-in-number micro-pit arrays, a voice coil motor driven (VCM-driven) high-frequency micro-impact process is proposed in this study. Recovery, compression and cushioning forces needed for the impact system are provided by in-series dual-compression springs incorporated into the proposed design. Within each impact cycle, the impact shaft returns extremely quickly to its home position allowing for no loss in power transmission. Experiments show that an array of 2,300 compact, regular and highly consistent honeycomb-like micro-pits can be created in just 15.3 s with outstanding efficiency at an impact frequency of 150 Hz, spring stiffness of 1.04 N/mm, and feed-rate of 22.5 mm/s. The surface roughness of the tank-walls created are suitable for possible cell culturing. The success of the proposed process as an alternative to current conventional methods of great-in-number micro-pit array manufacturing has great commercial potential.