Research Article Open Access

A Methodology for the Selection of Micro-Assembly Techniques

Dario Antonelli1, Gualtiero Fantoni2, Marcello Porta3 and Marco Santochi2
  • 1 Politecnico di Torino, Italy
  • 2 Nuclear and Production Engineering, Italy
  • 3 Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands

Abstract

Problem statement: The study addressed the problem of selecting the appropriate microassembly techniques according to the micro-part features. Actually, in the micro-domain, the choice of the correct assembly technique is highly dependent on the micro-part characteristics such as shape, geometry and material. Approach: Since there was an incomplete and unstructured knowledge about the micro-assembly, the study proposed a Decision Support System (DSS) as solution for assisting the designer in the correct selection of the most suitable micro-assembly strategies. The first step was establishing a structured correlation between micro-assembly techniques and part features. In particular the phases grasping and releasing were adopted as test-study for their importance in the microassembly process. The second step was the set up of a multistage model for the selection of the grasping-releasing technique and the implementation of the model in an Expert System as a set of rules. Results: The DSS was tested on some common micro-parts producing a scored list of selected grasping-releasing methods. Conclusion: The DSS proved quite valuable in the selection and the scoring of the micro-assembly principles that suit specific applications.

American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Volume 3 No. 4, 2010, 718-722

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajeassp.2010.718.722

Submitted On: 28 September 2010 Published On: 5 November 2010

How to Cite: Antonelli, D., Fantoni, G., Porta, M. & Santochi, M. (2010). A Methodology for the Selection of Micro-Assembly Techniques. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 3(4), 718-722. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajeassp.2010.718.722

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Keywords

  • Micro-assembly
  • grasping-releasing
  • capillary
  • micro-grippers
  • electrostatic
  • hydrophobic