This microforge has the versatility to create a wide variety of microtools adaptable to microbiological, cytological, genetic, micosurgical, microphysical and similar investigations and applications -- tools as precise as your procedure.

This microforge is an optical-electrical forge system. The electrical forge proper is mounted on an adjustable electrode holder system directly in front of the microtool being fabricated. Spring loaded clamps provide for easy insertion or replacement of the platinum-iridium (or other filament material) forge element. The vertical and horizontal position of the heating element can be precisely controlled by the two knobs mounted on the operating head and main electrode casting. The two knobs on the stage control the vertical and horizontal movement of the microtool.

The electrode holder can be positioned either vertically or horizontally and can easily be replaced. The electrode holder and heating filament can be pivoted as a unit, horizontally, in a short arc, causing the electrode to move parallel to the optical axis about 1/2".

Two curved air jets are also mounted on the adjustable holder system and are equipped with an adjustable valve. These jets direct air flow to the wire heating filament to provide "spot" cooling of the heated element.

Filament heat is controlled by adjusting the current to the electrode. The heat at a given setting will vary depending on the size and type of filament wire, the amount of air blown against the filament, and the amount of heat conducted away from the filament by the tool.

A circular disk, or mechanical stage, is mounted in front of the lamp housing. A pivoting spindle ( cylindrical vice with clamp for supporting the microtool being made) is mounted at the periphery of this disk. Both disk and spindle may be rotated about their own axes and the entire assembly may be adjusted vertically or horizontally by precision screws. The light intensity directed to the microscope objectives may also be adjusted.

The entire optical-electrical forge assembly is securely bolted to the cast aluminum main housing. This housing contains the transformer, function switches and the operating controls for the adjusting filament temperature and light intensity.

The TPI Microforge:
Forges/fabricates metals, alloys, organic crystals, polymers and other fusible materials as well as soda lime and borosilicate glass tubing and rod stock.

Is supplied with platinum/iridium wire for the electrode. It also utilizes other types (and gauges) of forging filaments. The apertures of the electrode pins will accommodate up to 22 gauge (.0253" diameter) filament wires.

Fabricates a wide range of microtools employing a variety of techniques either separately or in tandem: contact fusion or melting, distant or contact stretching, fracturing, microforging and microglass blowing.

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