HYDROMEL - A European Project for future hybrid Assembly

摘要

Today, emerging highly complex micro-devices with applications in mechanics, electronics, biological engineering, micro-fluidics and IT request ultra precision manufacturing processes. A need becomes apparent to develop tomorrow's high precision flexible and cost-effective manufacturing processes for complex microproducts. This includes emerging products that cannot be synthesized through one-shot processes. Hybrid assembly has been identified as promising, innovative production technology. It is defined as the combination of two production approaches: (i) positional assembly where objects are mechanically manipulated and positioned one by one; and (ii) self-assembly where objects arrange themselves into ordered structures by physical or chemical interactions. Such hybrid assembly has not yet been achieved at the industrial scale. It will build a production paradigm permitting the development of a fully innovative hybrid automated tool for assembly of a variety of microproducts.