Smaller than a ballpoint pen tip: micro-turned parts for eye surgery
Smaller than the tip of a ballpoint pen: Andres AG uses a component for eye surgery to demonstrate the current extent of miniaturisation in swiss-type turning. Learn more about their manufacturing expertise in micro-components.
Some parts are so small that they are barely visible – let alone photographable. Andres AG provides an impressive insight into what is arguably the smallest component they have ever manufactured: a turned part for eye surgery that is smaller than the tip of a ballpoint pen.
Precision in the millimetre range
The component weighs just 0.0004 grams and has a total length of only 0.47 mm. Despite these minimal dimensions, the highest manufacturing quality requirements must be met.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.0004 g |
| Total length | 0.47 mm |
| Max. outer Ø | 0.50 mm |
| Base material | Corrosion-resistant stainless steel |
The challenge: burr-free cross-holes
The greatest technical challenge in this project is the two continuous cross-holes, each with a diameter of 0.15 mm. This corresponds roughly to the thickness of two human hairs. These holes must be completely burr-free, which places extreme demands on the tools, the machine and the entire process.
State-of-the-art manufacturing technology
This miniaturisation is made possible by the use of highly specialised technology:
- Machine: Tornos SwissNano 7
- Equipment: High-frequency spindle and high-pressure pump
- Application: Medical technology / Endoscopy
This application example from ophthalmology impressively demonstrates where the limits of what is possible in modern swiss-type turning lie and how Andres AG realises complex micro-components with the highest precision.
