Microtools

Microtools are tools designed for use at the micrometer scale to interact with microstructures or biological entities. They are used in manufacturing, research, and medicine to perform precise cutting, shaping, probing, or manipulation where conventional tools are too large.

Common types include microdrills, microtaps, micro end mills, and micro blades; micro tweezers and micro grippers; micro probes for metrology and atomic force microscopy, and specialty tips for scanning tunneling microscopy or pipette tips for microinjection. Additional variants include micro scalpel blades, micro needles, and micromilled housings for micro-assemblies.

Manufacture of microtools involves precision processes such as precision machining, electrical discharge machining (EDM), laser micromachining, micro-milling, lithography-based fabrication, and diamond turning. Materials typically used include carbide, high-speed steel, tungsten carbide, silicon, and diamond or diamond-like carbon coatings to improve hardness and wear resistance.

Applications span electronics manufacturing, where microtools are used for via drilling and MEMS component fabrication; microfabrication and microfluidics for device prototyping and assembly; ophthalmology and neurosurgery tools, biopsy needles, and cell manipulation tools for research and clinical use. Broadly, microtools enable delicate operations, measurement at small scales, and high-precision inspection that are impractical with larger tools.

Challenges include wear and tool life, sterility and biocompatibility for medical use, alignment and control at small scales, and cost. Ongoing research seeks to improve coating durability, processing accuracy, and integration with sensing and automation systems.