A special micromanipulation tool equipped with a plunger mounted in a small tube can be easily adapted to such work operations as cutting, precision clamping, and spot welding of microscopic filaments or other parts. This tool is valuable where extreme steadiness of high magnification is required

Shlichta, P. J.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Mod 
Hyp 
January 1967	 Brief 67-10004 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Micromanipulation Tool Is Easily Adapted to Many Uses 
The problem: 
A micromanipulation tool is needed that can be 
easily adaptecl to a number of work operations, such 
as cutting, precision clamping and spot welding of 
microscopic filaments or other parts. 
The solution: 
A special tool equipped with a plunger mounted in a 
small tube and designed so that the tip of the tube 
can be varied to accommodate a variety of work op-
erations.
How it's done: 
The main body of this tool is made so that a 
plunger handle can be inserted at one end and a 
modified No. 18 hypodermic needle can be mounted 
at the other end. A cylindrical hollow inside the main 
body permits a spring to be placed around the plunger. 
By moving the spring from one side of a stop (a 
washer soldered in place) to the other, the plunger 
rod can be forced to move down the tube and act as a 
clamp or to be held in an open position. For greater 
ease of handling, a flexible cable release may be used 
instead of a plunger.
(cOflUnueO overIcal 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
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Several tips should be made using a thin tube or a 
modified hypodermic needle. For cutting actions, a 
slot is cut at the tip of the tube and the end of the 
plunger rod is ground to a diagonal cutting edge. To 
use as a clamp, the end of the tube is plugged with a 
soft metal and the end of the plunger rod ground flat. 
Small jaws can also be fixed to the tube and the 
plunger rod. 
Notes: 
1. Where extreme steadiness at high magnification is 
required, this tool is particularly useful. It would 
also be of value where the work area is inaccessible 
to bulkier tools, such as jewelers forceps. 
2. Repair and assembly of instruments which have 
fine watchlike parts would be another application 
of the micromanipulation tool. Specific tips and 
plunger rods could be designed for particular 
operations.
3. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
4800 Oak Grove Drive 
Pasadena, California 91103 
Reference: B67-10004 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: Paul J. Shlichta 
Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
(JPL-129) 
Brief 67-10004	 Category 05


Micromanipulation tool is easily adapted to many uses

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