MicroSystems Technology Centre

At the support of the Innovation and Technology Commission, HKSAR and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Microsystems Technology Centre (MSTC) was established in 2004 by the Department of Industrial Systems and Engineering (ISE). Since then, a series of research and development activities involving the local industries and in collaboration with other research institutions have taken place. MSTC along with the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research Centre of ISE offers a broad range of advanced technical services and solutions to support various manufacturing industries.

mstc-1

Our aims:

To stimulate interests in microsystem technologies
To collaborate with industries and institutions on innovations in microsystem technologies
To promote excellence in microsystem technologies for international competitiveness
To disseminate and assist industry in application of microsystem technologies on new business opportunities.

Principle Investigator

Professor KL Yung, BBS
Research Areas: Control and Automation, Precision Engineering, CIM
E-mail: kl.yung@polyu.edu.hk

Co-Investigators

Prof. HC Man
Research Areas: Materials Technology, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Laser Materials Processing Technologies
E-mail: hc.man@polyu.edu.hk

Prof. KC Chan
Research Areas: Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Processing of Advanced Materials, Technology Forecasting and Assessment
E-mail: kc.chan@polyu.edu.hk

Prof. LC Chan
Research Areas: Advanced Sheet Metal Processing, Precision Tooling Systems, Rapid Prototyping, Laser Materials Processing
E-mail: lc.chan@polyu.edu.hk

Prof. Sandy To
Research Areas: Ultra-precision Machining Technology, Materials Science
E-mail: sandy.to@polyu.edu.hk

Dr. CY Chan
Research Areas: Control & Automation, Warehouse Management and Materials Handling
E-mail: cy.chan@polyu.edu.hk

A first bottom-up high precision plastic micro-Injection moulding machine which helps the miniaturization of products and producing high precision micro plastic parts such as micro-sims, micro-pumps, micro nozzle, medical parts, micro lenses and optical connectors. Other machines only attempt to reduce the size of conventional designs while our machine adopts a revolutionary upward Injection design eliminating the air entrapment problem and the need for shutoff valves that restricts melt flow. There are four servos each at the four corners of the mould clamping to automatically adjust clamping pressure for minimum mould distortion. Two linear motors are used to propel the plastic into the mould giving unmatched acceleration and precision well below milligram level. The precision is further enhanced by real-time pressure signature analysis to account for any valuations. The mechanical design is simple with mechatronic control for future performance optimization through software upgrades.

Special Features and Advantages

Adaptive vertical mould clamping - assures effective mould closure
Upward injection - avoids air entrapment
High acceleration / deceleration of injection speed - allows precision melt flow and volume controls
Valve-less plasticizer – eliminates material degradation
Simple mechanical design - allows future improvement through software upgrade
Menu-driven servo control

Applications

This invention is designed to produce precision micro components such as micro switch and sensor for automotive industry, Inkjet printer nozzle for computer industry, hearing aids or implants for biomedical industry, micro lens for optics industry, gear wheel, latches and micro transmission for watch industry.

Awards

Gold Medal 35th International Exhibition of Inventions New Techniques & Products, Geneva (April 2007)

In response to the increasing product miniaturization and the corresponding needs for micro/miniature parts, the ability to manufacture highly complex, 3-dimensional micro-parts in high volume at much cheaper cost by micro injection molding technique has been a subject of investigation and research over the last decade. Recognizing this trend and supported by the ITF, the ISE department of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University has in early 2004 set up a Microsystems Technology Centre (MSTC) to investigate and develop advanced micro molding technologies of benefits to the local industry. MSTC is a member of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centre of the ISE Department that offers a wide range of services and end-to-end solutions to the local manufacturing industry.

Aims:

To attract interests on micro molding technologies;
To set up a member network and a forum for exchange of ideas and knowledge;
To undertake pre-competitive R&D projects of benefits to the local industry.

Areas of interests include:

Micro injection molding machine
Micro mold design
Micromachining
Polymeric material
Micro inspection and measurement
Micro part handling and assembling

Target Members:

Micro components or products manufacturers
Linkage industries
Optical, electronic, telecommunication and biomedical industries

Member's Benefits:

Networking between business counterparts
Access to news and publications
Share of knowledge through seminars or workshops held
Access to Centre's facilities (at special discount)
Access to training and consultation services
Collaborations on R&D projects to the needs of industry

Activities organized will be funded partly by the ITF and partly by the member's subscription.

For further information or to give your company technological advantages and benefits, please contact:

Matthew F.Y. Kwan
Micro Molding Interest Group
Microsystems Technology Centre
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Tel: 2766 7428
Fax: 2364 6509
Email: fy.kwan@polyu.edu.hk

Professor K.L. Yung, BBS
Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering
Chair Professor of Precision Engineering
Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations
Associate Head of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

+852 2766 6592
kl.yung@polyu.edu.hk

Dr. Matthew F.Y. Kwan
+852 27667428
fy.kwan@polyu.edu.hk

Address:

Room P-112, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University