This paper deals with the combination of micro milling and laser micro structuring for processing hot embossing dies for microfluidic applications. This strategy permits the advantages of each process technology to be exploited in order to achieve a cost and time efficient process and also to process forms and structures which cannot be manufactured with the single processes micro milling and laser micro structuring. Basic requirements are a high-precision positioning of the single process areas and also a good machining of the parts and structures with the manufacturing processes micro milling and laser micro structuring. The intersections between the different processing areas present a challenge for this process technology
The paper explores and presents results of an investigation handling design methodologies using the bio-space and biological phenomena combined with the technical space for the development, design and application of products, machine tools, processes and manufacturing systems carried out by a multinational team including Fraunhofer and CIRP fellows. The main biological approach for designing was bio-inspiration. However, links and examples implementing bio-integration and bio-intelligence were also considered and analyzed during the investigation.The paper describes a systematic design procedure starting from requirements and applications related to manufacturing, using well-known theories and experience in engineering, however analyzing and applying biological materials, properties, structures, phenomena and complete systems. Sustainability aspects combined with the immense and ever growing capacity of ICT and digitization possibilities provided new options for design methodologies.A moveable and flexible machine tool was virtually used as a demonstrator to describe the new methodology. It was proved that the o ngoing process of learning from nature and applying biological phenomena, structures and materials, together with new technologies such as Additive Manufacturing (AM) can develop new ideas, processes, manufacturing systems, and products with benefits to performance, productivity, efficiency and sustainability. Nature and biological domains can be integrated, can inspire, be implemented or even applied as an intelligent system in the design procedure.
Precision machining plays a vital role in modern, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing. Monitoring and controlling the clamping forces can influence positioning accuracy, workpiece deformation, thus improving the production outcome. The clamping force must be adapted to the cutting forces, workpiece geometry, and material properties to improve accuracy and control workpiece deformation during machining. The best devices available have a repeatability of ±1 µm, however, with limited precision and repeatability when re-clamping the workpiece. This paper presents the newly developed high-precision adaptable clamping system for controlled high-precision positioning and repositioning of a workpiece in the x-y plane with visual pattern recognition, adjustment, and controlled clamping forces. The clamping system is based on a pneumatic clamping chuck with controlled air pressure on a very accurate CNC machine. FEA calculations of thin-walled workpieces are used for designing associated jaws to ensure workpiece holding, limited forces and limited deformations. Once the workpiece has been removed and re-clamped with the defined forces, the vision device identifies the new workpiece position. Force and position data are collected and analyzed for calculating the repositioning movement in the x, y, and theta axes. The difference between the measured position after re-clamping and the reference position is calculated using a specially developed algorithm, yielding the motion commands to the x, y and theta axis. Using the vision system made it possible to identify an accuracy of ±1 µm and a repeatability of ±0.5 µm.
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