ESI announces new esiFIT module for advanced microfabrication

PORTLAND, USA: Electro Scientific Industries Inc., a leading supplier of innovative laser-based manufacturing solutions for the microtechnology industry, announced the release of its new esiFIT technology for advanced microfabrication. The esiFIT module is designed to enhance the micromachining capability of ESI’s 5900 systems.

The model 5900 equipped with esiFIT technology becomes a laser-based processing tool that performs in-line inspection of incoming parts and subsequently adjusts the laser cutting path in “real time.” This technology can be applied to a number of micromachining applications such as the tailoring of tolerances between two manufactured components, preferential removal of material on “out of spec” parts, and bur removal applications, among others.

The 59xx family of laser micromachining tools offers customers a broad range of features to control cutting shape, throughput, and laser-material interaction. Additionally, the esiFIT option enables automatic inspection of incoming parts, recognizes anomalies in the presented piece, and then adjusts the machining path to compensate for the identified anomalies. The ability to automatically compensate for the machining path based upon incoming part variation enables customers to increase their yield, reduce rework, and create custom fit parts. ESI has over 300 59XX systems deployed in 24/7 high volume manufacturing lines worldwide used for laser-based microfabrication processes.

“High-precision microfabrication is an important part of numerous industries including consumer electronics, automotive, and medical,” said Dr. Michael Darwin, VP and GM of ESI’s Interconnect and Micromachining Division.

“The model 5900 with esiFIT technology offers a unique pre-inspection step, enabling metrology on incoming parts and adjustment of the laser machining path to compensate for upstream process irregularities. This ability to precisely adjust the optical path based on actual parts, versus being limited to a predefined, fixed CAD file, enhances our ability to machine at the micron level. The esiFIT technology has far-reaching implications for a range of applications including laser deburring of CNC machined parts, chamfering, and the precision manufacture of slip fit and interference joints. This capability makes it an indispensable tool for ensuring a higher-yielding, quality manufacturing process with reduced cost of ownership.”