Mikrobohren

MikroBohren is a term used in German-speaking manufacturing to denote the practice of micro drilling, the creation of very small holes with diameters typically ranging from tens of micrometers to a few hundred micrometers. It is applied in electronics packaging, microfluidics, precision engineering, and medical devices, where through-holes, vias, or microchannels must be formed with tight tolerances.

Techniques include mechanical microdrilling with carbide or diamond-coated micro-end mills, laser drilling using femtosecond or nanosecond pulses, and electrochemical or ultrasonic-assisted drilling. Often a combination of methods is used to optimize hole quality, reduce burrs, and limit heat-affected zones. Material compatibility varies: printed circuit boards, silicon and ceramics, aluminum, stainless steel, and plastics.

Process parameters such as drill diameter, feed rate, spindle speed, and cooling/lubrication are tightly controlled to achieve roundness, circularity, and surface finish within tolerance. Tool wear and breakage are common challenges at microscale, along with burr formation, tapering, and micro-cracking. Throughput remains a balance between precision and speed, influenced by equipment, automation, and metrology.

Typical applications include microvias in PCBs, MEMS packaging holes, microfluidic channel ports, sensors, and medical devices requiring miniature apertures. Researchers and engineers continue to develop inline metrology and process control to improve repeatability.