LIGA (lithography + electroforming)
LIGA is a manufacturing process that combines lithography, electroplating (or electroforming), and moulding to produce high precision, microscale components with complex geometries. LIGA is an acronym that stands for “Lithographie, Galvanoformung, Abformung,” which is German for “Lithography, Electroplating, Molding.” With years of experience and a commitment to quality, we have developed a highly efficient and accurate LIGA process that is tailored to meet the specific needs of our customers.
Depending on specific dimensions of your design it could require a LIGA route. Our engineers are eager to tell you more about this process and the benefits of it.
The process consists of the following series of steps to reach moulded products using LIGA:
- Mask
Manufacture photomask from e.g. PMMA. This will become the ‘netative’ of the wanted structures.
- Prepare
Coat photoresist on a primary substrate (with an electrically conductive surface)
- Expose
Align the photomask above the substrate and expose to UV light or X-ray
- Develop
Develop & remove photoresist exposed to UV light. Here the desired structure is formed.
- Electroforming/ plating
Metal is plated upward from the metalized substrate through the photoresist.
- Removal
Remove remaining substrate and the metal structure formed remains
- Finishing
Cut he part into the final shape making it fit the mould.
- Assembly and Injection molding
Assemble the insert into the corresponding tool and set up injection moulding process
