It is often said that aerospace technology affects the automotive industry, which in turn affects the medical industry. A recent trend has Swiss watchmaking jumping into the mix. A nifty, proprietary technology showcased here at the Medical Design and Manufacturing show is from Steiger Galvanotechnique SA in Switzerland and involves what's called microelectroforming to make tiny parts about 200 um thick. The process is similar to chemical milling, using UV photolithography and negative SU8 resin. Unirradiated zones constitute the molding-definition features for electroforming. After a photoresist mold is removed, parts can be used as-is, or for subsequent finishing steps such as grinding. The technology supports metals including nickel, copper, and gold.

Electrodeposited nickel deposit can be "tuned" for a hardness from 300 to 600 HV. Ductility ranges from 15% to 1% (%-strain). Copper, of course, has excellent thermal and conductive properties. And gold has excellent corrosion resistance and also absorbs X-rays well.



A sampling of components made with microelectroforming includes tiny watch parts. The company says medical parts could include parts for micro-fluidic devices and drug-dispensing pumps.

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