MATERIALS/PROCESSES/FINISHES 35
rely on automation, with much higher accuracies being required than for conventional automated assembly systems; whereas 0.1 mm would be adequate or even excessively tight for conventional assembly systems, a micro-assembly system may have to achieve accuracies in the range 0.1 to 10 microns. With micro-assembly operations, not only can it be difficult to pick up the component, but molecular forces can mean that the component is not released when the picker opens. Likewise, feeding and orientating micro components cannot be achieved using, say, a scaled-down vibratory bowl feeder. One technology that offers potential here is vision-guided robotics: a vision system can be used to identify individual components and their orientation, enabling a robot to be directed to pick up the component and reorientate it so that it can be positioned correctly. Even when the components have been successfully
Fig. 4. Examples of work from the Xtreme Laser Facility (clockwise from top left): a microfluidic diode cascade; a micro-reactor in silicon; microstructuring; and a shadow mask.
origami – whereby a blank is formed into a three-dimensional component. Finally, the assembly must be inspected to check that
brought together, there is the question of how they are attached to each other. Threaded fasteners are not generally suitable, but adhesive bonding, welding and cold deformation processes (akin to riveting) are feasible. Another technique that is currently being investigates is the use of folding – similar to the paper-folding art of
all components are present and correctly positioned. While manual inspection using a microscope is possible, machine vision systems are more likely to be employed for this task. Furthermore, it may be better to use automated in-process inspection at one or more intermediate points within the assembly operation. n
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