Perhaps like no other, the field of microelectronics exemplifies the drive towards miniaturization, the obvious reduction in size of everyday household appliances and cell phones showing the extent to which products containing electronic components have been reduced in size. The opportunities that exist for OEMs to ride the wave of the “next big thing” in microelectronics are huge, and in order to fully realize this potential, it is important to engage a micro manufacturing partner that can not only assist in the design of smaller electronic components, but which is also aware of the particular contingencies and issues that apply when manufacturing such components. Opportunities exist to make smaller and lighter parts, to add micro features to existing parts, or even to add new micro features to micro parts. Accumold has over 30 years experience working with OEMs as they mold complex micro-sized electronic components, and has the expertise to work at early stage design development all the way through to volume manufacture in order to exploit commercial opportunities.

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It is undoubtedly fair to say that one of the key sectors driving innovation in the area of micro manufacturing and especially micro molding is the medical device industry. Demand for minimally invasive curative and diagnostic procedures is growing exponentially as patients and medical service delivery organizations seek to reduce operation and recovery times, and increase the accuracy of diagnosis. Because of this, over the last decade, medical product manufacturers have been designing (and seeking to manufacture) smaller and smaller components, with thinner and thinner walls, and complex and minute features. Couple this with the overarching demand from patients and healthcare providers to rationalize the costs associated with medical treatment, and medical device OEMs are constantly on the lookout for cost-effective and efficient manufacturing processes.

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Micro manufacturing technologies and capabilities are pushing at the boundaries of what is possible in the area of micro-optic component manufacture. The ability to be able to produce extremely flat, extremely small, and extremely light-weight optics today opens up a huge amount of potential for innovation. However, to be able to maximize the potential commercial benefits of what is a relatively high-cost and high-risk manufacturing environment, requires that OEMs work alongside suppliers that are expert in the manufacture of sometimes complex — and always extremely precise — refractive and diffractive micro-optical components.

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In this ever shrinking world new applications are emerging almost everyday. Accumold has considerable experience working with emerging technologies for industries like smart devices or wearables, which are often driven by weight, cost, and time-to-market considerations. These OEMs must engage with companies like Accumold in order to ensure the efficient and cost-effective manufacture of safety critical precision and micro components. Engaging with a qualified micro manufacturing partner early in the design cycle for new product development is vital to avoid multiple (and costly as well as time-consuming) design and tooling iterations.

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The automotive sector is second only to the medical sector in its use of micro manufacturing and micro molding technologies, and parts and components for the automotive industry are often manufactured in extremely high volumes. Miniaturisation of components allows for reduction in weight and cost, but also allows for the manufacture of increasingly complex and sophisticated vehicles which — in the modern world — must perform in an efficient, fuel conscious and non-polluting fashion. There are numerous opportunities for automotive OEMs to utilize micro manufacturing technologies and techniques to achieve their manufacturing objectives. Many of the applications of micro manufacturing in the automotive sector center around the use of intricate micro-electonics, which is one of Accumold’s core specialities. However, whether it is micro-electronic components or stand-alone micro plastic parts, the key to success is section of a micro manufacturing partner with a depth and breadth of understanding of the manufacturing and material possibilities that exist.

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