FEATURE EUSPEN


Networking for the micro/ nano manufacturing sector


euspen to host workshop on dynamic developments in micro and nano manufacturing I


n niches of industry where groundbreaking technological


developments seem to occur every other week, it is tempting always to focus on what’s next rather than the potential of what is available now. Nowhere is this more obvious than in


the area of micro/nano manufacturing, where with alarming frequency, what was impossible yesterday is becoming possible today. This presents massive opportunities for OEMs that are looking to innovate and produce more and more precise products and components. But it can also become confusing, as it can often seem as if today’s “go-to” technology solution will soon be replaced by something quicker, more-cost effective, or more precise. Clearing the confusion and promoting networking and discussion between OEMS, academics, and researchers, euspen hosts a series of events throughout the year, and is pleased to announce its Workshop on Micro/Nano Manufacturing, supported by the EU Horizon2020 Innovative Training Program Network (MICROMAN) at the University of Strathclyde, UK November 8th – 9th 2017. What is obvious to all involved in the


micro manufacturing arena today is that recent groundbreaking manufacturing solutions offer the potential for efficient and cost-effective mass manufacture. Technologies that yesterday were being proved and tested, and were seen at best as prototyping technologies, are now scalable and delivering millions of parts a year. This is important for industry sectors


where OEMs are constantly searching for new and innovative solutions, key market drivers being the ability to produce efficient and ever smaller products and components that are cost-effective to produce, and that can be manufactured in volume and to strict time-to-market parameters. Also of vital concern is the fact that these novel products and components are often developed for highly regulated sectors, requiring that any partner in product development is also equipped with the knowledge necessary to navigate the regulatory hoops in a timely fashion, while at the same time ensuring compliance


14 AUTUMN 2017 | MICROMATTERS


with an array of quality standards. euspen’s Micro/Nano Manufacturing Workshop promotes the alliances with professionals, institutions, and suppliers necessary to achieve optimal product development. Across industry in general, the drive in


Figure 2: Cleanroom facility


terms of product and component design is towards miniaturisation. Of course, there is a trade off between miniaturisation and the actual function of a product. Smaller and smaller is not always better and better, and there are limits to the extent to which products can be reduced in size and still function optimally. There is a danger in some instances that the oft-quoted design mantra that “form should follow function” can become lost as product designers continually strive for miniaturisation. But in general terms, designers are forever pushing the boundaries of increased precision and reduced size in balance with part functionality. Micro manufacturing is not the same


as macro-scale manufacturing. While the development processes have the same names, they require a whole set of skills that are unique to manufacturing on the scale of a grain of sand. Every stage of the development process throws up challenges, from design, material selection, processing, handling, and of course validation. The Special Interest Group Workshop


on Micro/Nano Manufacturing will focus on novel methodological developments in micro- and nano-scale manufacturing, i.e., on novel process chains including process optimisation, quality assurance approaches and metrology. It will host a keynote and several presentations and posters covering the newest developments and research on this increasingly important topic. The workshop will also host several training seminars covering aspects of micro/nano manufacturing in practice.


euspen


www.euspen.eu T: 01234 754023


/ MICROMATTERS


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