DEVELOPMENT OF IN-MOLD ASSEMBLY PROCESS FOR REALIZING MESOSCALE REVOLUTE JOINTS

摘要

In-Mold Assembly process at the mesoscale presents several manufacturing challenges. Results reported in this paper demonstrate the technical feasibility of creating rigid body mesoscale revolute joints using In-Mold Assembly process. The following new results are reported in this paper. First, we describe a mold design with varying cavity shape to perform In-Mold Assembly. This mold design uses an accurate mold piece positioning method to avoid damage to delicate mesoscale parts during the cavity change step. Second, we describe a mold insert fabrication process for making mold inserts with the desired surface characteristics for mesoscale molding. Finally, we describe methods to limit the adhesion at the interfaces and hence create articulated revolute joint. Using the advances reported in this paper we have successfully molded a mesoscale revolute joint. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of In-Mold Assembly process using a varying cavity shape mold to create a mesoscale revolute joint.