Micro-machining

Abstract

Manipulating bulk material at the atomic level is considered to be the domain of physics, chemistry and nanotechnology. However, precision engineering, especially micromachining, has become a powerful tool for controlling the surface properties and sub-surface integrity of the optical, electronic and mechanical functional parts in a regime where continuum mechanics is left behind and the quantum nature of matter comes into play. The surprising subtlety of micro-machining results from the extraordinary precision of tools, machines and controls expanding into the nanometre range-a hundred times more precise than the wavelength of light. In this paper, we will outline the development of precision engineering, highlight modern achievements of ultra-precision machining and discuss the necessity of a deeper physical understanding of micro-machining.

Interferometric measurements of single crystal diamond tool wear

“…Diamond tool wear remains a fundamental limitation to the application of micro-machining with single crystal tools [1] despite over 80 years of published research. Wear mechanisms can be classified [2] in four groups: (a) adhesion including effects of built-up edge formation; (b) abrasion, microchipping, fatigue [3], and fracture; (c) tribothermal; and (d) tribochemical.…”

U-Line

“…From a general point of view, focusing on the aspect of precision, definition (3) also includes the machining of micro-and even nanoscopic parts, the common denominator being the small amount of material removed in one machining step and the dimensional accuracy reached by the process. Since ultraprecision machining is a rapidly growing field, it must be emphasized that the definitions given above are reflecting today's understanding of the term which is likely to change in the future (Brinksmeier and Preuß 2012). This likewise applies to the core element of "ultraprecision machining," that is, the notion of "precision" itself.…”

Internet of Things and Industrial Applications for Precision Machining

“…Some of the most investigated factors include cutting conditions, cutting tool geometry and wear, material properties, machine tool vibrations and heat transfer while the most investigated quality criterion is surface topography in general and the Ra value of surface roughness in particular. Given the number of processes and adopted approaches, a detailed description of each is out of scope of this paper but [18,19,20,21,22,23,24] can be used for reference.…”