10/23/2025
Engineers at Mazda in Japan successfully welded a fully functional metal die just 1 mm in size — a feat of precision that’s nothing short of remarkable. Created for a skills competition, the project showcased the extreme accuracy and craftsmanship essential in modern manufacturing.
Each face of the die was laser-cut from stainless steel sheets only 0.05 mm thick. These ultra-thin pieces were arranged into a T-shape, then carefully folded into a cube and meticulously welded together under a microscope.
What made the process even more impressive was the technique: the welders reportedly held their breath during the welding to prevent any slight tremor from affecting the alignment. The result was a flawless miniature die, with all six sides perfectly joined and the shape completely intact. Photos show the finished die resting on the tip of a finger — nearly invisible to the naked eye.
This wasn’t just a display of skill — it was a celebration of technical excellence and the kind of detail-focused welding Mazda applies to its engineering. The project drew widespread attention online, with people amazed not only by its tiny size, but by the fact that it was welded by hand using tools meant for much larger-scale work.