Two process chains for creating functional surfaces on mold for 3D geometry

Polymer products with functional surfaces are applied in many fields such as medical and bio technology [1][2]. It is believed that certain types of micro- or nano- structured surfaces can enhance tissue anchoring [3]. However, most technologies for the fabrication of micro-structured functional surfaces are still limited to flat geometries or geometries with constant curvature [4] .

Typically products that need micro structuring on the surface have a three dimensional and complex geometry. There are huge demand for investigation in establishing the micro structures on the surface of a 3D mold. This paper describes and compares 2 approaches for fabricating micro- structured surfaces suitable for patterning of 3D shape cavity for injection moulding.

The application investigated for the research is a part of a fixture for electrodes to be implanted inside human body. It is a ring with four wings as illustrated by Figure 1.