The application of micro-milling technology in the processing of micro-strip antenna

The main objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of machining the copper layer for micro-strip antenna with micro-milling technology and to find the optimal machining parameters. The main properties of the micro-strip antenna are related to the geometry accuracy of the copper layer attached to the dielectric substrate surface. In this paper, micro-milling technology is utilised to machine the copper layer for microstrip antenna. The milling process is divided into two steps: roughing and finishing milling. The influence of the micro-milling cutting parameters on the geometry quality of copper is investigated. The results show that micro-milling of copper layer on polyimide is feasible, reasonable micro-milling cutting parameters can improve the processing efficiency, ameliorate the surface quality and extend the tools' life. The main contribution of this paper to the related literature is to provide a new method to machining the copper layer for micro-strip antenna.