Product category:
Stand-Alone Instruments
News Release from: Nikon UK | Subject: MM40 measuring microscope
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 21 January 2002
Microscope improves ceramic actuator
accuracy
The Nikon MM40 measuring microscope is helping engineers at 1Limited to document their product development progress and to achieve exactly the right format for their miniature ceramic coils.
1Limited is a technology development and licensing company, which provides competitive advantage for commercial partners around the world The company specialises in a number of technological areas, including proprietary ceramic actuators, digital signal processing and related electronics, as well as aerogel-based acoustic absorbers
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 8 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Loaders handle ultra-thin wafers
Nikon NWL200 wafer loaders remove the need to place very thin wafers on the microscope by hand during the post process stage.
Illuminator delivers consistent performance
A pre-centred mercury-fibre illumination system that never needs alignment has been launched by Nikon Instruments.
Applications for its patented range of actuators include: a miniature autofocus control for tiny CMOS cameras that fit into mobile phones and coilless loudspeakers, again suitable for communications devices but offering amazing MP3 quality sound.
Development of the patented Helimorph ceramic actuators is carried out at the company's Cambridge manufacturing facility.
Among the tools in 1Limited's R and D lab is a new Nikon MM40 measuring microscope.
Further reading
Inspection system checks for cracked joints
To improve the quality of the solder joint evaluation reports it provides to its customers in the electronics industry, Tin Technology has invested in new digital imaging technology from Nikon.
Video measuring systems on show at Nepcon
Nikon's stand at this year's Nepcon UK show is featuring two of the latest NEXIV video measuring systems.
This is used to assist engineers in documenting product development progress and achieving exactly the right format for the miniature ceramic coils, which can measure just a few millimetres across.
The highly versatile microscope is invaluable for checking the bonding of ceramic PZT material to metal electrodes, the porosity of samples and highlighting cracks or defects in the material, which could lead to premature product failure.
The microscope is also used to obtain critical measurements for ongoing manufacturing and further development of the actuators.
Its ability to measure down to submicron accuracy is invaluable for the high-precision work.
The Nikon MM40 microscope was supplied with a PC running Lucia software under Microsoft Windows and equipped with a DXM1200 digital camera - used to record and store digital images of the various stages of development.
The linked PC also holds an Access database currently containing over 1300 records, which will ultimately assist in refining the final manufacturing process.
Dr Mark Swetnam runs the development laboratory: "We chose the Nikon MM40 because of its versatility, ease of use and ability to adapt to a wide range of sample sizes".
"The Lucia software allows us to take a number of nondestructive measurements, while the DXM1200 digital camera enables capture and storage of valuable images to highlight flaws and accompany our Access database".
Swetnam added: "It was important to have a rugged unit with inherent stability and a large, easily movable stage to allow for larger samples - some of which can be up to 50mm in size".
In summary Swetnam reported that the installation of the microscope system was trouble-free, and a couple of in-house training days soon had all members of the laboratory team fully familiar with the measurement software and day to day operation.
Thanks to 1Limited's detailed microscopic view of the developments, the future of hi-fi videophones seems to be just around the corner. Request a free brochure from Nikon UK ...
• Nikon UK: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
