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founded EBE in 1991, noted that typical
microapplications include joining
of medical, semiconductor and electronic
components.
LW relies on a
shielding gas, usually
argon, to protect
welds from oxidation.
According to
Trillwood, it is often
used for light-duty,
Richard Trillwood
high-volume applications,
such as continuous-seam
welding of hypodermic
tubes for the medical industry.
With no vacuum required, LW can
sometimes offer faster cycle times and
lower cost than EBW, Trillwood said.
But, he added, modern vacuum systems,
properly designed fixtures and faster
EBW speeds can minimize throughput
and cost differences between the two
processes.
“For small parts, the pump-down
time needed for EBW can be amortized
over each component,” Trillwood
explained. “For a fixture with 100 small
components and a chamber evacuation
time of 45 seconds, the time difference
between EB and laser [welding] processes
becomes insignificant.”
EBE provides contract EBW and LW
services, and manufactures equipment
for those operations. The company’s
turnkey welding systems include the
Beamer line of EBW machines. Available
with chambers 12", 18", 24" and
36" on a side, the units can weld materials
down to 0.001" thick and offer 2-,
3- and 4-axis CNC work manipulation.
Users can select various options, including
chamber-extension tubes, wire-feed
capability and shuttle systems for highproduction
operation.
For more information, contact EBE
Inc. at (714) 491-5990 or visit www.
ebeinc.com.
—Jim Destefani, Freelance Writer
Enduring nanopower
U.S. Photonics Inc., Springfield, Mo.,
is developing a lithium-ion, high-density
nanobattery composed of microscopic
cells that extend battery life and reduce
recharging time. The Endure nanobattery
utilizes arrays of individual nanosized
cell containers.
“That is unique,” said Jake Conner,
company president.
The other distinguishing feature is its
ability to be formed or rolled into a prismatic
cell. This could be used to produce
flexible flat batteries that can be form-fit.
The company has a prototype and
plans to release “engineering tool kits”
for testing within 6 to 9 months. During
the next year, it will produce limited-run,
specialty-application batteries.
Long-term plans include selling the
technology license to a battery-manufacturing
company.
The nanobattery can be configured
and connected to scale the power
Micro Miniature Metal Bellows
Actual
Size
Great
Things
Come in Small Packages…
Servometer ® – PMG, LLC
Micro Miniature
Electrodeposited
Nickel Bellows have
diameters as small as
.020 inch (0.5 mm), and
are ideal for dynamic
applications where
reliability and long life
are critical requirements.
Servometer ® bellows can be
designed for a variety of stroke and
pressure combinations and can be
used as:
• Flexible Micro Couplings
• Micro-Hermetic Seals
• Pressure Responsive Devices
• Aneroids
• Electrical Contacts
• Precision Micro Springs
Call for a free sample and brochure.
Fax: (800) 785-0756 (USA)
Fax: (973) 785-0756
Tel: (973) 785-4630
501 Little Falls Road, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 www.servometer.com
6 | MARCH/APRIL 2010 | MICROmanufacturing