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1. INTRODUCTION
From the general trend towards greater miniaturization and functional integration results an increasing demand for metallic parts or structures of smallest dimensions (know as “microparts”).
The demand of miniaturisation comes not only from consumers, who are wishing for more handy electronic devices and more integrated functions, but also from technical applications such as medical equipment, sensor technology and optoelectronics [11-19]
Figure 1.1: Tendency towards the miniaturization [2]
A standardized and commonly accepted definition does not exist to define a micro-part, mainly, due to being talking about a little explored field. Furthermore, the order of magnitude of the dimensions depends on the manufacturing process. While studying the field of the metallic sheet deformation, microforming is defined as the forming of pieces whose total dimensions are located below 1mm3, and which are formed from metal sheets of 10 to 300 microns of thickness [11;20].
Figure 1.2: Microparts examples.
Industrial realization of these parts and the further breakthrough of products containing microparts require suitable production technologies regarding accuracy, productivity, efficiency and reliability.
Metal forming offers the advantages of high production rates, minimal or zero material loss, excellent mechanical properties of the product and small tolerances making it suitable for mass production and near net shape technology.
This tutorial deals with the most usual technologies in the micro scale:
• Laser assisted drawing in the micro-scale
• Incremental micro-forming
• Laser micro bending
• Inyection metal moulding of micro parts
The present tutorial tries to describe those technologies, more commonly used materials, compatible applications for each material and the comparative between different scales, the macro and micro scales.
