Potentials of Cost Reduction by Use of Ultra Precision Machining

摘要

With the emerging markets in life sciences, optics, consumer and automotive, micromechanical ultraprecision processing is gaining importance and is a competitive technology candidate for cost efficient mass production and also for prototyping. Several investigations of analysts show their importance as manufacturing technology for microparts and microsystems. The value chain of these techniques impacts the whole equipment industry which starts to be aware of that market. Automation of the subsequent manufacturing steps is another issue closely related to batch processing, which will drive further developments for costs. The competitiveness of ultra precision machining has been recognized by several small and medium sized companies as a chance to succeed in the emerging markets. When compared to the worldwide economical ups and downs, these rather small market segments offered with their stability in growth rates a real chance to the players to establish themselves.