The De Fonbrune is the oldest and most respected name in microforging. The De Fonbrune-type microforge is the latest in a time-honored series based on Dr. De Fonbrune’s original device. It complements the precision applications of the de Fonbrune pneumatic micromanipulator, pipette pullers and microinjection systems by producing a wide variety of microtools adaptable to microbiological, cytological, genetic, microsurgical, microphysical and similar investigations and tools as precise as your procedure. It can be used to fabricate 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. Employing a variety of movements and temperature controls, which permit fabrication of microtools from simple to more complex micro-instruments such as, calibrated micropipettes, microscalpels, electrodes and micromanometers (for use in measuring devices for turgor pressure in single cells).
This microforge is an optical-electrical forge system. For superior stability 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. 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 precision screws can adjust the entire assembly vertically or horizontally. The light intensity directed to the microscope objectives may also be adjusted. The electrical forge sub-assembly is mounted on an adjustable electrode holder system directly in front of the microscope objectives and to the left of the microtool being fabricated. The spring-loaded filament holder provides 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 controls mounted on the operating head and main electrode casting. Two controls on the stage are used to position 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 inch. Two curved air jets are also mounted on the adjustable holder system and are equipped with an adjustable valve. These jets direct airflow to the wire-heating filament to provide ‘spot’ cooling of the heated element. Adjusting the current to the electrode controls filament heat. 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.
The system is supplied with platinum/iridium wire for the electrode and has the ability to utilize other types and gauges of forging filaments. The apertures of the electrode pins will accommodate up to 22 gauge (0.0253 inch diameter) filament wires. The following items are also included with the system: 4 microtool reamers, wax inducing instrument, capillary glass tubing, hammering rod, 3 sticks sealing cement, 4 80 mm microtool holders, 15-watt bulb, weight set (0.5 to 17 gm in 1 gm increments), 31 ga heating element wire, 1 pkg. 2 x 150 mm pyrex glass rod, forceps and 2 angular microtool holders.