Micromachining Glass for Medical MEMS Devices
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The medical industry relies on a range of imaging solutions, with Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) devices like smart pills and real-time optical bio-imaging systems allowing for more fine-tuned and accurate examinations. These technologies rely on precision mirrors and glass components that have a high degree of clarity, dimensional integrity, and accuracy. In this blog post, we’ll explore why glass is ideal for medical MEMS devices, and how Swift Glass provides exceptional accuracy for machined glass components.
Why Glass Is the Ideal Substrate for Medical MEMS
Glass wafers offer superior results when paired with the right machining processes. For example, glass has excellent biocompatibility characteristics, in which the material’s inertness ensures the products won’t degrade, corrode, or break down due to exposure to bodily fluids and tissue. High-quality glass substrates offer additional unique advantages compared to silicon, including:
- Optical transparency. Glass can provide greater clarity and support clearer imaging. Glass is highly transparent in the visible light spectrum, and also features transparency characteristics in the ultraviolet light spectrum.
- Airtight enclosure capabilities. Manufacturers can create MEMS enclosures with glass wafer packaging while benefiting from their thermal stability and reliability over time.
- Better biocompatibility and chemical inertness. Glass with pure fused silica is more chemically resistant and can withstand exposure (and immersion) in many acids and organic chemicals.
Swift Glass produces precision MEMS components and ultra-thin glass wafers from quartz, fused silica, and borosilicate materials, including Borofloat®, SCHOTT, and more.
Micromachining Methods: CNC, Laser, and Ultrasonic
Creating miniature or microscoping glass components requires extremely precise manufacturing techniques. CNC, laser, and ultrasonic micromachining techniques can each produce parts for MEMS, but each technique offers different advantages.
Swift Glass’s New Laser Cutter: Micro-Level Accuracy for MEMS
Our facility has invested in new laser micromachining equipment to create medical MEMS components with precision-drilled holes. This laser can drill holes in sizes from 50 μm to 50 mm for microfluidics, and we can accommodate parts as thin as 50 μm for cutting-edge sensors. With this new technology, we can quickly and reliably fulfill complex orders with drilling speeds of 30 mm per second in glass that is 0.5 mm thick.
Learn more about our extremely accurate laser cutting services for optical and medical applications that require micron-level accuracy and reliable production speed. Our photonics laser delivers custom shapes with fewer defects and clean edges without burrs or scratches.
CNC Glass Micromachining
Swift Glass can use 2-axis and 3-axis CNC machining to deliver parts with tight tolerances (within 0.01 inches). With CNC machining stations, we are able to produce components up to 0.3 mm thick.
Ultrasonic Glass Micromachining
Ultrasonic glass micromachining processes use vibrating soft steel and nickel tools to direct a slurry of abrasives against glass surfaces. The vibration direction and frequency shape the glass. This process is particularly ideal for fine, fragile components, and the slower technique of scraping excess material off the glass surface doesn’t cause internal stress or breakage.
Diamond Wire Saw Micromachining Prep
Swift Glass’s diamond wire saw equipment is integral to the micromachining of glass for Medical MEMS devices by providing the high-precision slicing capability necessary to create ultra-thin, defect-free substrates. Our wire saw minimizes kerf loss and prevents surface chipping, which is critical when working with delicate materials like the borosilicate and fused silica often used in micro-sensors and drug delivery systems. The versatility of our saws allows for both custom prototyping of medical components and high-volume production.
Swift Glass: Your Partner for Medical-Grade Glass
Swift Glass is your one-stop partner for precision-machined glass components for MEMS devices and medical imaging technology. Our company is ISO 9001:2015 certified, and we routinely invest in new technologies to increase our micromachining capabilities and quality management processes. Contact us today to learn more.
Medical Grade Glass Materials: A Selection Guide
Leave a CommentGlass plays a critical role in modern medicine and is used in everything from lab equipment and diagnostic instruments to advanced surgical devices and optical tools. However, not all glass is suitable for every application, and the wrong choice can compromise performance, safety, and durability.
As a trusted expert in precision glass fabrication for the medical industry, Swift Glass partners with vetted and experienced manufacturers to source and supply specialty glass materials for the medical industry. This guide explains the key properties of medical glass materials, common types, and important fabrication considerations for choosing the right glass for your application.
Key Criteria for Choosing Medical Glass
In patient care, surgery, and treatment centers, tools and equipment must be able to withstand routine use and regular sterilization. Many are also exposed to intense light, heat, radiation, or chemicals that can cause damage or impact performance.
Consider the following when selecting medical glass material for your specific application:
- Optical Clarity & Transmissivity. A clear, distortion-free view is essential for diagnostics, monitoring, and visibility-based equipment like scopes and magnifiers.
- Thermal Stability & Heat Resistance. Certain glass types have a low coefficient of thermal expansion to resist thermal shock. As a result, they are compatible with high-heat sterilization and autoclaving processes without compromising their structural integrity.
- Chemical Purity & Stability. Resistance to acids, alkalis, and other chemicals is essential to maintain clarity and avoid scratches or breakage.
- Durability & Mechanical Strength. It’s important to match the specific hardness and strength of different types of glass to each application to prevent cracking, breaking, and defects during fabrication and use.
- Radiation Resistance. Some types of glass resist darkening and deterioration from high-energy radiation in x-ray and other applications.
Common Medical Grade Glass Materials
At Swift Glass, we stock a broad range of specialized glass that are suitable for medical industry use cases. Understanding the thermal, chemical, and physical properties of different glass materials can simplify the selection process. The most widely-used medical-grade glass materials offer a variety of features for superior performance and durability.
Borosilicate
Prized for its excellent thermal stability, chemical resistance, clarity, and affordability, borosilicate is the most common type of medical glass. It’s used in applications including general laboratory ware, diagnostic instruments, and pharmaceutical processing. Swift works with some of the most well-known borosilicate producers in the industry, such as CORNING® EAGLE 2000®, SCHOTT BOROFLOAT® 33, etc.
Quartz and Fused Silica
Chosen for environments that require superior optical and thermal properties, quartz and fused silica are high-purity materials compatible with high working and melting temperatures. Swift Glass supplies a variety of brands of both quartz and fused silica. Top quartz brands we work with include GE® 124 and Hereaus TSC-3®. Fused silica brands include CORNING® HPFS® 7980 Industrial Grade and CORNING® HPFS® 7980 UV Grade.
Soda-Lime Glass
Soda-lime glass is a common glass type, typically chosen for its affordability in comparison to other medical-grade glass materials. While it lacks the thermal and chemical resistance of borosilicate, it’s often used for disposable and single-use items such as syringes and pipettes where the ability to withstand repeated sterilization or harsh chemical exposure isn’t necessary.
Contact Swift Glass: Your Trusted Glass Fabrication Partner
Choosing the right medical glass depends on how physical and chemical properties of different materials compare to the operating conditions and requirements of the application. Partnering with an experienced fabricator is just as important as the material you choose. Swift Glass works with leading glass manufacturers and stocks many materials for fast turnaround. Our precision capabilities include surface lapping, polishing, waterjet cutting, and CNC machining.
With nearly a century of experience in custom glass fabrication and access to cutting-edge technologies, we excel at meeting the specifications and regulations of the medical industry.
We are an ISO-certified and ITAR-registered company, committed to providing our customers top-quality, inspected and validated products that meet their requirements.
Contact us to learn more about our products and services or to start your next medical glass project.
