The development of new-generation micro-manufacturing technologies and systems
has revolutionised the way products are designed and manufactured today with a significant
impact in a number of key industrial sectors. Micro-manufacturing technologies
are often described as disruptive, enabling and interdisciplinary leading to the
creation of whole new classes of products that were previously not feasible to manufacture.
While key processes for volume manufacture of micro-parts such as machining
and moulding are becoming mature technologies, micro-assembly remains a key
challenge for the cost-effective manufacture of complex micro-products. The ability to
manufacture customizable micro-products that can be delivered in variable volumes
within relatively short timescales is very much dependent on the level of development
of the micro-assembly processes, positioning, alignment and measurement techniques,
gripping and feeding approaches and devices.