Potomac Photonics recently departed from their usual industrial, consumer and manufacturing applications to serve as the official 3D printing service for the Bits to Its 3D Printing art show in Rockland, Maine. The Bits to Its show organizers chose digital fabrication experts Potomac Photonics to complete all the 3D Printing needed by artists who did not have their [...]
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Potomac Photonics is pleased to report that it recently completed a precision micro marking project for the University of Michigan that helped support research on how extreme conditions in nuclear power reactors affect different types of metal alloys. This study will focus on how the higher levels of radiation and the extreme temperatures that are [...]
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Digital Manufacturing Leader Potomac Photonics is pleased to announce that it recently completed precision 3D printed parts for Boston University to support their research in stem cells. Stem cells, which have enormous potential in medical research because of their ability to differentiate into specialized cells types, may one day provide a renewable source of replacement [...]
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Over 80,000 microholes drilled in polyimide sheets create molds to fabricate less invasive endoscopic tool. Potomac Photonics has recently fabricated micro-parts to be used on a project to develop new techniques for diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal diseases. Utilizing advanced precision micromanufacturing technologies, Potomac drilled over 80,000 blind holes in a polymer material. These holes were [...]
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Microfabrication experts at Potomac Photonics were excited to hear President Obama discuss 3D printing in his State of the Union address. Two major points jump out at those in the trenches using the new technologies to fabricate parts. First, while 3D printing is the media buzzword of the moment, the powerful additive manufacturing process is [...]
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Potomac Photonics is pleased to have partnered with the Budker Group at the Physics Department of the University of California, Berkeley on a recent project. The Budker Group conducts research on the physics and applications of ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to detect magnetic fields with high spatial resolution. One possible application [...]
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Those of us in micro-manufacturing are working at an amazing time in history. Our tools are highly sophisticated in terms of operator interface, and specialized machines in UV laser micromachining and 3D printing are readily available for the factory floor. However, there are more complexities to successful production of products for customers than just buying [...]
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Potomac is headed to the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas! We’re excited to be part of Eureka Park at CES, a specialized tech zone within The Venetian Hotel. Presented in partnership with the National Science Foundation and Startup America, we were given the opportunity to participate through our NSF SBIR Phase II work [...]
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We recently completed an exciting 3D printing project for Jhpiego and Johns Hopkins University. Jhpiego brings high-quality health care to women and families wherever they are… in the urban slums of Kenya, an isolated outpost in rural Haiti, the earthquake-affected areas of Pakistan. Through the use of innovative approaches, Jhpiego [...]
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We are committed to helping companies develop and commercialize their micro products. In addition, we are continually improving, developing and adding new technologies that enable our customer to build their parts quickly and cost-effectively. We fully support the latest Government report related to Advanced Manufacturing that includes the following definition of Advanced Manufacturing: According to [...]
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We have had a busy week drilling small holes in a variety of materials. This included several applications related to probe card devices. Probe cards are used as an interface between between electronic test equipment and a semiconductor wafer. In addition we have been drilling holes as small as 5 microns in tantalum and holes [...]
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An Introduction into Small Hole Drilling Small Hole Drilling or Micro Drilling is a precise process that requires very detailed workmanship with pinpoint precision and accuracy. Interest in and use of microholes spans many industries, including medical device, biotech, electronics, and alternative energy companies. Small hole drilling can be done in almost any type of [...]
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Potomac Photonics Awarded National Science Foundation Grant to Join BU Photonics Center Industry/University Cooperative Research (I/UCRC) Program Lanham, MD February 1, 2012: Laser microfabrication leader, Potomac Photonics, Inc. has been awarded a supplemental $45,000 grant as part of their SBIR Phase II contract with the National Science Foundation. The award covers 90% of Potomac’s membership [...]
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We have added several pieces of new equipment to our expansive line of micro drilling equipment. This includes a full line of micro-CNC and micro drills that can drill extremely small and precise micro holes through thick materials. This technology complements our laser technology that can drill micro holes in almost any material with diameters [...]
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Potomac Photonics was the cover story in a recent edition of Commercial Micro Manufacturing magazine. The magazine cover image featured some of our standout work including: 60 micron holes drilled into a stainless steel needle. The squares are 150 micron squares in 250 micron thick Cirlex (polyimide) material. Gears are made in Cirlex with holes [...]
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Potomac’s broad-range of micro manufacturing technology includes a novel technique to embed conductive materials in a wide variety of substrates. Using laser-based processes, Potomac can produce fine-feature groove and channel patterns in many electronics and display substrate materials. We can then fill these etched patterns with a nanoparticle silver paste which is cured at low [...]
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Although we are only a few days into the New Year, we have completed many Small Hole Drilling projects for our customers. Among these is included a project in which we laser drilled multiple arrays of microholes in aluminum for one of our University partners; holes ranging from 50 to 300 microns in diameter were [...]
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Lanham, MD – Potomac Photonics, a leader in micro manufacturing, announced today that it has executed an agreement with 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE: DDD) to become an authorized distributor of their 3D Printers. In addition, Potomac has installed a 3D Systems Projet 3000HD printer in its facility to be used for product demonstrations and contract [...]
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Potomac Photonics is pleased to announce that it now offers 3D Printing Services to compliment its other Micromachining Technologies. Potomac has partnered with 3D Systems, the leading provider of 3D content to print solutions. In addition to providing 24 hour turnaround of plastic parts, we are a 3D Systems authorized reseller and service provider. We [...]
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Experience worldwide has shown that no one micro manufacturing technology prevails. Potomac is excited that over the next few weeks we will be making several major announcements related to new technologies and equipment that we will be adding to our micro manufacturing toolbox. These processes which compliment our laser technology will ensure that we can [...]
Continue ReadingDue to growing demand, Micromachining leader, Potomac Photonics, has significantly expanded its small hole drilling capabilities and operations by adding several new laser systems, spanning the UV through IR wavelengths, that are ideal for machining holes for applications such as catheter hole drilling, precision alignment of optical fibers, probe card devices and leak test holes. [...]
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Potomac Photonics utilizes a broad range of micromanufacturing technologies including laser systems. Lasers are great tool for fabricating extremely precise features quickly and repeatably. In addition to the laser source, most micromachining systems are configured with highly accurate optics and motion control systems. Some of the critical advantages of laser micromachining include: Systems are highly [...]
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Lanham, MD, January 28, 2011: A brand new resource is now available for Engineers designing and developing miniature parts. Leading microfabrication company, Potomac Photonics, has launched a website packed full of cutting edge interactive tools and materials to assist those who are looking to bring their micro products to market in an efficient and cost-effective [...]
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Potomac Photonics is pleased to announce the purchase of a new Coherent excimer laser for its contract laser micromachining unit. This laser, which is suitable for rapid prototyping and production of miniature parts, will be integrated on a system capable of machining flat and 3D parts. Excimer lasers emit concentrated light within the ultraviolet (UV) [...]
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Potomac Photonics is pleased to announce that it is introducing a new additive process to its fabrication toolbox. With the ability to achieve feature sizes as small as 8 microns, this process is configured to embed materials such as silver and select nano-pastes to flat and 3D micro-products. Implantable devices, miniature electronics, and novel energy [...]
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Potomac Photonics recently departed from their usual industrial, consumer and manufacturing applications to serve as the official 3D printing service for the Bits to Its 3D Printing art show in Rockland, Maine. The Bits to Its show organizers chose digital fabrication experts Potomac Photonics to complete all the 3D Printing needed by artists who did not have their [...]