Optical precision microscope with synthetic granite base

• Grant number: 99/06402-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: November 01, 1999
• End date: April 30, 2000
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Physical Metallurgy
• Principal Investigator: Fernando de Moraes Mendonca Ribeiro
• Grantee: Fernando de Moraes Mendonca Ribeiro
• Company: MM Optics Ltda
• City: São Carlos

Abstract

MM Optics is a new company, but firmly committed to participating in and promoting technological Brazilian innovation in the field of optics. It is a small company that is making every effort to produce three models of microscope (MM 1600, high precision, binocular up to 1600x, MM-01 didactic up to 600x, MM- L1 expansion of up to 30x for use in agriculture and teaching applications) and countless other precision systems. With this experience and having already taken part in a development project in the microscopy field with IFSC-USP and Lamafe-EESC, both of USP in São Carlos, MM Optics proposes to develop and produce an innovative microscope, in which its structural part is made of synthetic granite, improving its stability, lowering costs, and thus making it more competitive. Synthetic granite is a material made of natural crushed stone. As a structural material, synthetic granite has excellent mechanical properties, such as: long-lasting mechanical stability, internal damping about eight times greater than traditional materials, a high degree of thermal stability, geometric flexibility and the ability to use metal grafts. We will be developing a process to mold the microscope’s structural system in synthetic granite. The process and the optimization of the molding will enable high quality parts to be produced on a large scale. Setting up the entire production process for parts in synthetic granite, we will add the other optical and mechanical components so as to achieve a very high quality, but low-cost microscope. In this way we, we hope to dominate the domestic market and compete in the export market. (AU)