Portfolio / Miniature Laser Cut Components

The parts for this laser cutting project were some of the tiniest pieces we have ever made. Fabricated for researchers at the NYU Center for Neural Science, the “footplates” are one small component used in their work on the impact of hearing loss on auditory processing and perception.

In order to fabricate such small parts using a larger-format laser, we began by revising the design drawings to factor in the kerf of the laser beam. Samples of tubing at the exact gauge needed allowed us to verify our drawings. Then, we just had to cut two or three times the required quantity to factor in the loss from any unexpected drafts or sneezes. In the images below of the component in its assembly, the first image shows an electrode mid-fabrication with the laser cut part highlighted by the red arrow. The last image shows a more magnified view of the footplate and electrodes in the finished part (the large black marks on the background are on a scale marking millimeters).

Images of the finished assembly provided courtesy of Dr. Dan Sanes, Professor of Neural Science and Biology at NYU.