Trial production of medical micro-tool by metal deformation processes using moulds

Abstract

The medical field is a major area for the micro mechanical system. Research in the medical field has made remarkable progress, and one important requisite in order for people to reap the m a n y benefits of this is a stable and l o w cost supply of high precision medical device. The authors are attempting t o make a contribution toward addressing this issue by the development of new technology. Here, the targeted device is a pair of forceps f o r an endoscope. This is a micro-tool made of metal. Currently, a great deal of expense and long period of time are required t o manufacture these because complicated mechanical processing and manual operations are involved. The purpose of this research are: 1)to utilize moulds to a l l o w the stable manufacturing of high precision parts: and 2)to utilize moulds to make it easy t o assemble complicated parts. In particular, the assembly of micro-tool poses complicated problems, and overcoming them in a major issue.