Emerging miniaturization technologies are perceived as potentially key technologies of the future that will bring about completely different ways people and machines interact with the physical world. Manufacturing at the micro-scale (a few microns to a few millimeters) is taking on increased importance as needs in bridging the nano- and the macro-worlds become more acute. Applications of miniaturization technologies can now be found in many areas including optics, electronics, medicine, bio-technology, communications, and avionics to name a few. These applications involve a wide range of engineering materials, three-dimensional features, and high relative accuracies (10-3 – 10-5). As a result, new processes and manufacturing equipment are being developed to meet needs not achievable by more conventional lithography-based, surface micro-machining techniques.
This two-and-one-half-day conference will focus on new developments in micromanufacturing processes and equipment. Papers are sought to address theoretical and applied research issues related to processes, systems, and equipment for manufacture, assembly, and metrology, associated with the creation of components and systems with 3D features to high relative accuracies in a wide range of engineering materials.
Topics may include, but are not limited to, mechanics and dynamics of process behavior at the microscale; the miniaturization of machines and equipment as well as associated issues such as tooling, fixturing, positioning, motion generation, sensors systems, and control; the microfactory paradigm; new concepts and methods for micro-scale metrology; materials handling, joining, and assembly at the micro-scale; multi-scale modeling and simulation; design for micro-scale manufacturing; and materials-related issues at the micro-scale. A broad range of processes will be considered including machining, forming, EDM and ECM, laser-based processing, and others. Papers are also sought that describe interesting applications of both current and emerging micromanufacturing methods and equipment, including those that bridge the nano- and macro- worlds.