How a Micro Mesh Is Made

Primary process: Electroforming. The full route, materials, tolerances and design tips for a micro mesh, with an indicative cost.

ElectroformingPrimary process
SurfaceFamily
4Route steps
+/-0.01mmTypical tol.

A micro mesh is primarily made by Electroforming. Electroforming builds a part by plating metal onto a mandrel, then removing the mandrel to leave a thin, precise shell. Below is the full route to make a micro mesh, the materials it suits, the tolerances to expect and the main design points. The route is free, from the finder.

Step by step

How a micro mesh is made

The usual route, raw material to finished part. The amber step is where the micro mesh gets its basic shape.

  1. Mandrel

    Make a precision mandrel shaped to the micro mesh's inner surface and apply a release layer.
    Tooling None   Tolerance ±0.125mm, to ±0.025mm   Lead 1 to 10 days
  2. Electroforming

    Electrodeposit metal onto the mandrel until the micro mesh reaches its wall thickness.
    Tooling Medium (mandrel)   Tolerance ±0.002 to 0.02mm   Lead 2 to 4 weeks
  3. Separation

    Part the micro mesh cleanly from the mandrel.
  4. Finish and inspect

    Trim the edges and check wall thickness, form and finish.

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Precision

Tolerances to expect

TYPICAL TOLERANCE IT CAN HOLD
+/-0.01mm typicalcoarsefine+/-1mm+/-0.1mm+/-0.01mm+/-0.005mm
Where this process typically lands. Tighter is possible with extra operations like grinding, at higher cost.
Materials

Materials for a micro mesh

GradeWhy it suits this
NickelPrecise, tough
CopperConductive
Design

Design tips

General pointers. The full design-for-manufacturing list for a micro mesh is in the dossier.

  • Thick sections specified. Keep walls thin (its strength).
  • Undercuts vs mandrel. Design for mandrel release.
Cost

What a micro mesh should cost

Builds precise thin metal parts by depositing onto a mandrel (meshes, bellows, optics); slow, for precise or thin shapes.

PER-PART COST vs VOLUME
one-offat volumeVolume per order, low to highCost per part
Per-part cost drops as volume spreads tooling and setup over more parts. The exact figures for a micro mesh at your volume, in your currency, are in the dossier.
MODEL EST.
$130 to 365 per part at 1 off
A rough ballpark only. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency, with the full breakdown.
GET THE FULL DOSSIER

Everything you need to quote and source it

The free route above is yours. To actually put a number on a micro mesh and buy it well:

  • Should-cost at your exact volume in 12 currencies, with the material, processing, tooling and overhead breakdown
  • Who to source from, typical MOQ and lead time, and the exact RFQ checklist to send
  • A quote checker that tells you if a supplier quote is fair, and the red flags to watch
  • The full DFM list and a ready-to-send RFQ draft

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See also: How Electroforming works and the full route for a micro mesh in the finder.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How is a micro mesh made?
A micro mesh is primarily made by electroforming. The route is: Mandrel; Electroforming; Separation; Finish and inspect.
What does a micro mesh cost?
It depends on size, tolerance and volume. As a rough ballpark it starts around $130 to 365 per part at 1 off and falls with quantity. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency. A model estimate, not a quote.
What material is a micro mesh made from?
Common choices are Nickel; Copper.
What is the main process for a micro mesh?
Electroforming. Thin, precise metal parts and moulds, like mesh, bellows and nozzles.
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