Jury's prize of honour

For producing diaphragms for Devialet brand Bluetooth speakers, marketed by Apple, with a very high acoustic and visual quality.

Winners 2016

Products integrating nanotechnology solutions

Nano d'or for one of the first appliances dedicated to the controlled deposit of colloidal nano particles. Sectors of application: optical, life sciences, nano structure manufacturing, microelectronics.

Microtechnical components

Micron d'or for producing, using additive manufacturing, a plastic injection mould spindle with a two-channel regulation circuit with reverse propellers of up to 0.25mm in diameter over a length of more than 100mm.

Devices and sub-assemblies integrating microtechnical components

Micron d'or for the design, manufacture and fine-tuning of a very high precision ±0.5µm "flip-chip bonders" machine. Sectors of application: calculators integrating optics, high-definition cameras, spatial, medical.

Microtechnical production tools and instruments

Micron d'or for producing a process to obtain a medical gold micro component weighing 0.2 thousandths of a gram in quantities of around 100,000 parts per year.

Machine tools and microtechnical production machinery, automated systems, fittings

Micron d'or for a rapid cutting machine (up to 300mm/s) for transparent materials and crystals, using an ultra-short pulse laser.

Microsystem prototypes exclusively reserved for research organisations

Micron d'or for an industrial solution or series manufacturing of millimetre parts in complex forms, in Amorphous Metal Alloys (AMA) with performances greatly superior to those achieved currently: 5 times more resistant, 5 times more precise, with mirror or textured surfaces.

Special jury prizes

For producing membrane electro-optical micro and nano components, resulting in several records for simpler machining, with surfaces superior to the state of the art (10nm roughness produced in 10 minutes).

For producing a digital shoe, based on an innovative concept for generating piezoelectric energy, enabling communication via Bluetooth with a smartphone.

Jury’s prize of honour

For making an implantable artificial heart. This prosthesis is an exceptional example of what a combination of mechanics, electronics, computing and sensors can achieve.

Winners 2014

Microtechnology components

ConProMi project - Partners: PEP and INL Micron d’or for the injection of microfluidic components comprising a 7-micron filter, made possible thanks to the design and innovative production of moulds. The combination of three technologies has pushed back the technological frontiers of injection.

Sub-assemblies incorporating microtechnology components

Micron d’or for a micro-device detecting and metering events such as impacts, vibrations and distortion. This system without any source of energy evaluates the potential level of damage of a structure.

Devices with microtechnology components

Micron d’or for an optical inspection and intelligent correction device in wire EDM machining. This equipment, which compares the machined profile with the theoretical simulation, offers engraving precision to the nearest micron.

Production tools and instruments

Micron d’or for a high-speed laser marking device (80,000 marks per hour). Innovative product due to the absence of a mask and long-awaited in the field of fighting against counterfeiting on any media.

Machine tools and microtechnical production machinery, automated systems, fittings

Micron d’or for a very high speed spindle (up to 90,000 rpm) forming one of the final links in machining and micro-machining. It offers very high-quality, highprecision and surface state machining, thereby generating production gains.

Microsystem prototypes exclusively reserved for research organisations

Micron d’or for making an insect-like flying object (ILFO) using MEMS technologies that should lead to the generation of new nano-drones for surveillance and inspection.

Special jury prizes

For making a micro-system built into the head of an endoscope used for automated laser surgery on the vocal cords.

For a piston screw over-moulded with an elastomer washer Ø 0.99 x 0.34 ± 2 μm. Vuillermoz continues to push back the frontiers of micro-machining and micro-injection.

Winners 2012

Microtechnology components

Micron d’Or for hologram-type micro-marking done by LIGA-UV to identify and authenticate top-ofthe- range articles. This new anti-counterfeiting concept has been developed in collaboration with Le Locle Engineering School (HEARC).

Sub-assemblies incorporating microtechnology components

Micron d’Or for producing an "all-in-one" plastic coaxial connector using a three-material plastics injection process, selective metallizing (including the hole) and a reduction in the number of components. Productivity gain and simpler assembly.

Devices with microtechnology components

Micron d’Or for a miniaturized robot-driven recognition assembly system, to assist watch-makers carrying out high-precision moving, gripping and handling operations (1 μm).

Production tools and instruments

Micron d’Or for a three-dimensional measuring machine designed for microtechnical objects, based on a concept that is both original and efficient, which is accurate to within a hundred or so nanometres with a repeatability of 2 to 3 nm, and at a very economical cost.

Machine tools and microtechnical production machinery, automated systems, fittings

Micron d’Or for a new generation 3-axis machining centre in the sub-micron domain, accurate to within a few hundred nanometres in all 3 axes, achieving a quasi-optical finish (Ra 50 nm).

Microsystem prototypes exclusively reserved for research organisations

Micron d’Or for an atomic clock based on MEMS technologies. Besides miniaturization, one of the innovations is the release process for caesium, a key element for the stability of the device.

Winners 2010

Microtechnology components

Micron d’Or for their micro-technopolymer ball retainers (ball diameter 0.6mm) with high operating constraints enabling low-cost production series.

Sub-assemblies incorporating microtechnology components

Micron d’Or for their mobile compact micromanipulator, able to move on a flat surface providing 4 degrees of freedom over a distance of several centimetres (5 nm resolution). Also comprises a toolbearing arm.

Devices with microtechnology components

Micron d’Or for their rapid prototyping in resin, a highly innovative and unobtrusive dental prosthesis (self-adjustable bridge).

Production tools and instruments

Micron d’Or for their progressive die which combines the cutting, stamping, assembly, sealing and check pointing of complex and diverse parts.
Significant productivity and quality benefits.

Machine tools and microtechnical production machinery, automated systems, fittings

Micron d’Or for their contactless electromagnetic linear actuator providing high precision flexible control. 5nm resolution (10mm travel). 1 mN strain resolution (± 5 N range). Works in harsh environmental conditions (Ultra-High Vacuum) and cleanroom.

Microsystem prototypes exclusively reserved for research organisations

Micron d’Or for their femtosecond (micro-needle) laser machine tool technique which enables the production of high aspect ratio nanochannels of 200 to 800 nm constant diameter, for depths of over 40 micrometres, in materials such as glass.

Special jury prizes

For a microconveyer using microfluidics technology which, through levitation, enables movement, positioning and sorting of millimetre- to micron-sized microparts.

OBE For their 2.5 mm³ MIM micropart used in the composition of a spring hinge for glasses.

Winners 2008

Microtechnical parts or elements used in a component

Golden Micron for the precision machining and shaping of phynox minitubes, that are used in the 3D architecture of an exceptional watch.

Functional components and simple or complex modular devices

Golden Micron for a long-stroke (for example, 10 mm) piezo-electric motor with nanometric resolution.

Devices integrating microtechnical components

Golden Micron for a surface state metrology instrument, that combines three types of (optical and mechanical) sensors, designed for metrology of microboring on complex parts.

Production tools and instruments

Golden Micron for a rapid measurement head for a three-dimensional measuring machine (10 times faster than standard palpation speed).

Machine-tools and microtechnical production machines automatic controls, accessories

Golden Micron for a grasping, revolving and clamping system, using an innovative cryogenic procedure for machining medium and long runs of microtechnical parts.

Microsystem prototypes exclusively reserved for research organisations

Golden Micron for a robot-controlled micro-assembly station by direct manipulation of microtechnical components.

Special jury prizes

For a micrometer enabling a spindle to move forward by 2 mm per drum revolution to the resolution of one micron.

For a new concept of the interferometric ruler eliminating deformation errors primarily due to temperature and guaranteeing the nanometer.

Winners 2006

Microtechnical parts or elements used in a component

Micron d’Or for microencapsulation of complex inserts obtained by extremely high precision overmoulding.

Functional components and Simple or complex modular devices

Micron d’Or for a device for three-dimensional nanometric positioning based on flexible structures and used for nano-machining by EDM. (Agietron micro-nano).

Devices integrating microtechnical components

Micron d’Or for a mechatronic actuator with nanometric resolution and repeatability.

Production tools and instruments

Micron d’Or for MPP “Micro Precision Plating” surface treatment used for selective treatment of a continuous support. Support totally masked and areas to be coated exposed by optical laser.

Machine-tools and microtechnical production machines

Micron d’Or for a machine combining high-speed 5-axis milling with ulstraonic machining to obtain very high quality surface condition.

Microsystems prototypes reserved for research organisations

Micron d’Or for a microlaboratory used for manipulating and qualifying ovocytes.

Special jury prizes

Micromodulator with high performance photonic crystal on lithium niobate.

Production of a completely autonomous micro-drone for reconnaissance and assistance missions in an urban environment.

Winners 2004

Microtechnical parts or elements used in a component

4 mm³ connector component made with banded moulding, linking cutting and very high precision injection techniques.

Functional components and Simple or complex modular devices

Very high output lithium Niobate based opto-electronic modulator (10Gbits).

Devices integrating microtechnical components

Digitally regulated pipette made by plastic injection, handling μl volumes, with a resolution of 0.1 μl.

Machine-tools and microtechnical production machines

Wire machining tool providing very high precision machining displaying surface finish with a Ra of 0.05 μm.

Microsystem prototypes reserved for research organisations

Silicon clockwork obtained by Micro electrical mechanical systems (MEMS).

Special jury prize

Outillages et instruments de production

Special jury prize for a system consisting of a very high speed hydraulic press (15 m/s) and a high precision tool for adiabatic process stamping, giving a result close to that of straight edge blanking.

Winners 2002

Microtechnical parts or items comprising a component

Received the Micron d'Or for manufacturing an injection-moulded Teflon micro-ring, with a volume smaller than 1 mm3 with tolerances of a few hundredths.

Functional components and simple or complex modular devices

Received the Micron d'Or for producing a highly precise (1/100th of a micrometer) component of a part with little stiffness.

Devices with microtechnical components

Received the Micron d'Or for a small "measuring sensor".
It is the smallest measuring sensor on the market today with a 25 mm diameter body.
It implements opto-electronic potentiometers, it is an original device of flexible mechanical linkage.

Production tools and instruments

Received the Micron d'Or for stamping tools made with cutting items in zircone oxide-based ceramics. This is a solution that increases a tool's shelf-life between 300 to 500% compared to a hard metal tool (carbide type).

Machine tools and microtechnical production machinery

Received the Micron d'Or for a super compact laser marking machine. The product is a miniaturisation digest in marking technology. The machine is undoubtedly the smallest unit on the market for that capacity.

Microsystem prototypes exclusively reserved for research

Received the Micron d'Or for a monolithic actuator with a 3° flexibility. Based on the use of piezoelectric materials, it allows for manipulating objects or introducing objects in confined spaces.

Winners 2000

Microtechnial parts or items

Received the Micron d'Or for a parallel manipulator with a 3° flexibility. 5 ranges of robotic technology for medical research.

Functional components

Received the Micron d'Or for a very small sized micro-camera: diameter 5 mm, lenght 15 mm, with a high quality adjustable optic (with a field of 130°) combined with an electronically controlled CCD sensor including a micromechanical orientation device.

Devices with microtechnical components

Received the Micron d'Or for a semi-automatic machine producing clean-room medical devices that allow for precision forming of polymer thermoplastic tubes through forming, welding, dulling of cutting edges, drawing out and closure.

Production tools and instruments

Micron d'Or for manufacturing a glass cell measurement standard, consisting of several easilyinterchangeable elements, to measure the ionic conductivity of aqueous solutions. The measurement's precision is of 10-4, directly linked to micrometry precision or even submicrometry of machining each cell's glass element.

Machine tools / Automation

Received a Micron d'Or for a programmable multiple slide machine. The ground-breaking design means the cost of tools is reduced as well as production run change-over time.