This book provides in-depth theoretical and practical information on recent advances in micro-manufacturing technologies and processes, covering such topics as micro-injection moulding, micro-cutting, micro-EDM, micro-assembly, micro-additive manufacturing, moulded interconnected devices, and microscale metrology. It is designed to provide complementary material for the related e-learning platform on micro-manufacturing developed within the framework of the Leonardo da Vinci project 2013-3748/542424: MIMAN-T: Micro-Manufacturing Training System for SMEs. The book is mainly addressed to technicians and prospective professionals in the sector and will serve as an easily usable tool to facilitate the translation of micro-manufacturing technologies into tangible industrial benefits. Numerous examples are included to assist readers in learning and implementing the described technologies. In addition, an individual chapter is devoted to technological foresight, addressing market analysis and business models for micro-manufacturers.

This book is an overview of replication technology for micro- and nanostructures, focusing on the techniques and technology of hot embossing, a scaleable and multi-purpose technology for the manufacture of devices such as BioMEMS and microfluidic devices which are expected to revolutionize a wide range of medical and industrial processes over the coming decade.The hot embossing process for replicating microstructures was developed by the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) where the author is head of the Nanoreplication Group. Worgull fills a gap in existing information by fully detailing the technology and techniques of hot embossing. He also covers nanoimprinting, a process related to hot embossing, with examples of actual research topics and new applications in nanoreplication. - A practical and theoretical guide to selecting the materials, machinery and processes involved in microreplication using hot embossing techniques - Compares different replication processes such as: micro injection molding, micro thermoforming, micro hot embossing, and nanoimprinting - Details commercially available hot embossing machinery and components like tools and mold inserts

This third edition has been written to thoroughly update the coverage of injection molding in the World of Plastics. There have been changes, including extensive additions, to over 50% of the content of the second edition. Many examples are provided of processing different plastics and relating the results to critiCal factors, which range from product design to meeting performance requirements to reducing costs to zero-defect targets. Changes have not been made that concern what is basic to injection molding. However, more basic information has been added concerning present and future developments, resulting in the book being more useful for a long time to come. Detailed explanations and interpretation of individual subjects (more than 1500) are provided, using a total of 914 figures and 209 tables. Throughout the book there is extensive information on problems and solutions as well as extensive cross referencing on its many different subjects. This book represents the ENCYCLOPEDIA on IM, as is evident from its extensive and detailed text that follows from its lengthy Table of CONTENTS and INDEX with over 5200 entries. The worldwide industry encompasses many hundreds of useful plastic-related computer programs. This book lists these programs (ranging from operational training to product design to molding to marketing) and explains them briefly, but no program or series of programs can provide the details obtained and the extent of information contained in this single sourcebook.

Micromanufacturing Engineering and Technology presents applicable knowledge of technology, equipment and applications, and the core economic issues of micromanufacturing for anyone with a basic understanding of manufacturing, material, or product engineering. It explains micro-engineering issues (design, systems, materials, market and industrial development), technologies, facilities, organization, competitiveness, and innovation with an analysis of future potential. The machining, forming, and joining of miniature / micro-products are all covered in depth, covering: grinding/milling, laser applications, and photo chemical etching; embossing (hot & UV), injection molding and forming (bulk, sheet, hydro, laser); mechanical assembly, laser joining, soldering, and packaging. - Presents case studies, material and design considerations, working principles, process configurations, and information on tools, equipment, parameters and control - Explains the many facets of recently emerging additive / hybrid technologies and systems, incl: photo-electric-forming, liga, surface treatment, and thin film fabrication - Outlines system engineering issues pertaining to handling, metrology, testing, integration and software - Explains widely used micro parts in bio / medical industry, information technology and automotive engineering - Covers technologies in high demand, such as: micro-mechanical-cutting, lasermachining, micro-forming, micro-EDM, micro-joining, photo-chemical-etching, photo-electro-forming, and micro-packaging

One of the key aspects of the production of high precision components is the need to meet extremely tight dimensional tolerances, typically in the submicron range, and maintain these tolerances over the practical lifetimes of the molded articles. In addition, as many of the precision components are utilized in various optoelectronic systems and devices, control of optical and electrical properties is often crucial. The strict control of dimensional and electro-optical properties requires a systematic reexamination of the conventional injection-molding process with special consideration of its impact on the dimensions and electro-optical characteristics of the molded article. This volume examines precision injection molding from different perspectives, covering materials, process and hardware aspects of the technology, with special emphasis on the dimensional integrity and stability of the molded components. Special topics covered in this volume include: dimensional stability of molded plastics, models for warpage development, compact disc molding, process control, crystallization phenomena in injection molding, micro-molding and microfluidics.

Metal injection molding combines the most useful characteristics of powder metallurgy and plastic injection molding to facilitate the production of small, complex-shaped metal components with outstanding mechanical properties. Handbook of Metal Injection Molding, Second Edition provides an authoritative guide to this important technology and its applications. Building upon the success of the first edition, this new edition includes the latest developments in the field and expands upon specific processing technologies. Part one discusses the fundamentals of the metal injection molding process with chapters on topics such as component design, important powder characteristics, compound manufacture, tooling design, molding optimization, debinding, and sintering. Part two provides a detailed review of quality issues, including feedstock characterisation, modeling and simulation, methods to qualify a MIM process, common defects and carbon content control. Special metal injection molding processes are the focus of part three, which provides comprehensive coverage of micro components, two material/two color structures, and porous metal techniques, as well as automation of the MIM process and metal injection molding of large components. Finally, part four explores metal injection molding of particular materials, and has been expanded to include super alloys, carbon steels, precious metals, and aluminum. With its distinguished editor and expert team of international contributors, the Handbook of Metal Injection Molding is an essential guide for all those involved in the high-volume manufacture of small precision parts, across a wide range of high-tech industries such as microelectronics, biomedical and aerospace engineering. Provides an authoritative guide to metal injection molding and its applications Discusses the fundamentals of the metal injection molding processes and covers topics such as component design, important powder characteristics, compound manufacture, tooling design, molding optimization, debinding, and sintering Comprehensively examines quality issues such as feedstock characterization, modeling and simulation, common defects and carbon content control