02/12-08   -   Press releases

Mass manufacture miniatures

Launched in 2004, Masmicro is an Integrated Project for the Integration of Manufacturing Systems for Mass-manufacture of Miniature/Micro-Products, supported by the European Commission under the Framework Programme 6 (FP6).

This four-year flagship micro-manufacturing project has just ended and involved a consortium composed of 36 partners from 13 EU countries, including 18 industrial partners. The total budget of the project was over 21 million euros.

Controlled pre-stressing
The overall objective of the project was to develop an integrated solution for European miniature/micro-manufacturing industries - an integrated manufacturing facility for mass-manufacture of miniature/micro-products, and a technology transfer/training package for transferring the knowledge to and developing skills in industries.

Noliac Motion participated in the development of an active micro-formning tool. The aim of the active forming tool was to reduce the force required to eject the component by controlled pre-stressing of the die, before, during and after the forming process.

In the tool, Noliac Motion´s piezoelectric multilayer plate stacks generate a high pressure level during forming. After forming, the pressure can be reduced making the ejection of the component easier and thus reducing the risk of damaging the component.

Combined with a feedback system, control of the process force is achieved.

Competitive small components
The active microforming tool allows bulk forming of small components (sub mm diameter). Thus, the technology has the potential of allowing the high volume manufacturing of small components at a competitive price compared to machined components.

More information: http://www.noliac.com/Default.aspx?ID=7878