| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/D500214/1 |
| Title: |
Material positioning and process monitoring in microforming |
| Principal Investigator: |
Rosochowski, Dr A |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Design Manufacture and Engineering Man |
| Organisation: |
University of Strathclyde |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
03 October 2005 |
Ends: |
02 October 2007 |
Value (£): |
24,290
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The microsystems (MST) or micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology is seen today as a key discipline with a potential comparable to that of microelectronics. MEMS combine electronic devices with structural and mechanical elements to create useful applications in the information and communication systems, automotive systems and traffic technologies, medical and life sciences, chemical and pharmaceutical engineering, power technologies, measuring and control systems, etc. The increasing number of materials used, together with higher complexity and new functionality of micro devices, require new manufacturing techniques. In addition to the well established and commonly used 2D-2.5D micro etching techniques, new 3D technologies are being developed, which include micro milling, micro EDM, micro laser machining and microforming. So far these new technologies have been used in laboratories or in prototype production only. The next step is towards mass production which should match the capability of high-volume production in the electronics industry.Research on microforming has been carried out in the Manufacturing Engineering Research Group (MERG) in the Department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management (DMEM) at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. MERG has already investigated many aspects of microforming in numerous European and some national projects. These included nanocrystalline materials for microforming, the technology for microblanking and microdimpling and special devices/micropresses for microforming. Despite substantial progress being made in all these areas, a complete manufacturing system, which could be considered ready for industrial trials and mass production of micro parts has yet to be developed. This is due to the lack of some elements of such a system, such as as automated material feeding and a quality assurance system This equipment proposal addresses these problems by considering the critical issues of material positioning and process monitoring in microforming.The main objectives of the proposed research are to synchronise an X-Y material feeding system with the very fast and accurate actuating system of a microforming press and to introduce a process monitoring system for micro blanking, which is based on the acoustic emission signal generated during the process. The acoustic emission signature of the process will be correlated with the tool state and ultimately linked to product quality. This will allow an on-line quality control, which is crucial for successful implementation of microforming on an industrial scale.The proposed equipment will help in establishing the Strathclyde Centre for Micromanufacturing, Microsystems and Nanotechnology, for which the SRIF2 funding of 300,000 has already been secured. It will strengthen the leading position of this Centre in the field of microforming. It will allow industrial implementation of microforming (micro blanking) with better guarantee that the process will perform effectively on an industrial scale and within economical constraints. By offering a full package containing materials, processes, tooling, machines, material positioning and process monitoring, the Centre will have a better chance of delivering a service to industrial partners. The industries anticipated to welcome this development are those, which see their future in micromanufacturing of micro parts for MEMS.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.strath.ac.uk |