Precision machining of microstructures on electroless-plated NiP surface for molding glass components

Micro-cutting experiments were conducted on electroless-plated nickel phosphorous (NiP) surfaces to fabricate microstructures such as microgrooves and micropyramid arrays. Burr formation behavior and cutting force characteristics were investigated experimentally and simulated by the finite element method (FEM) under various conditions. A simple two-step cutting process was proposed to improve the surface quality. The machined microstructure arrays were used as molds for hot-press glass molding experiments and good geometrical transferability was confirmed. The results from this study verify that diamond-machined NiP microstructure molds are applicable to glass molding processes for mass production of precision micro-mechanical and optical components.