Svetan Ratchev – författare

Customers increasingly expect products that are smaller, have improved functionality and reliability and cost less. Miniaturisation and integration of mechanical, sensing and control functions within confined spaces is becoming an important trend in designing new products in industries such as automotive, biomedical, pharmaceutical and telecommunications. In micromanufacture often manual assembly becomes unfeasible due to the small size of the products. As a result microassembly is becoming a sector of strategic importance in high labour cost areas due to the specific needs of automated fabrication and assembly processes which make outsourcing a less attractive option. It is well recognised that the production of miniaturised products will require radical rethinking and restructuring of the underlying technologies and system engineering approaches in high precision assembly as well as developing unprecedented and unique commercial concepts and infrastructure for delivering new technologies. In precision assembly there is a clear need for modular and highly customisable miniaturised production systems based on plug and produce assembly units with micro and nano accuracy of operation. From the equipment point of view the key emphasis is on developing new solutions for the automatic handling of large volumes of very small parts; development of multi-process microassembly machines using a smaller mechanical base and incorporating a wide variety of specialised product specific processes, capable of meeting the increased demands on process capability, repeatability and traceability.

Customers increasingly expect products that are smaller, have improved functionality and reliability and cost less. Miniaturisation and integration of mechanical, sensing and control functions within confined spaces is becoming an important trend in designing new products in industries such as automotive, biomedical, pharmaceutical and telecommunications. In micromanufacture often manual assembly becomes unfeasible due to the small size of the products. As a result microassembly is becoming a sector of strategic importance in high labour cost areas due to the specific needs of automated fabrication and assembly processes which make outsourcing a less attractive option. It is well recognised that the production of miniaturised products will require radical rethinking and restructuring of the underlying technologies and system engineering approaches in high precision assembly as well as developing unprecedented and unique commercial concepts and infrastructure for delivering new technologies. In precision assembly there is a clear need for modular and highly customisable miniaturised production systems based on plug and produce assembly units with micro and nano accuracy of operation. From the equipment point of view the key emphasis is on developing new solutions for the automatic handling of large volumes of very small parts; development of multi-process microassembly machines using a smaller mechanical base and incorporating a wide variety of specialised product specific processes, capable of meeting the increased demands on process capability, repeatability and traceability.

Micro-assembly is a key enabling technology for cost effective manufacture of new generations of complex micro products. It is also a critical technology for retaining mdustrial capabilities in high labour cost areas such as Europe since up to 80% of the production cost in some industries is attributed directly to assembly processes. With the continuous trend for product miniaturisation, the scientific and technologi­ cal developments in micro-assembly are expected to have a significant long-term economic, demographic and social impact. A distinctive feature of the process is that surface forces are often dominant over gravity forces, which determines a number of specific technical challenges. Critical areas which are currently being addressed include development of assembly systems with high positional accuracy, micro gripping methods that take into ac­ count the adhesive surface forces, high precision micro-feeding techniques and mi­ cro-joining processes. Micro-assembly has developed rapidly over the last few years and all the pre­ dictions are that it will remain a critical technology for high value products in a number of key sectors such as healthcare, communications, defence and aerospace. The key challenge is to match the significant technological developments with a new generation of micro products that will establish firmly micro-assembly as a core manufacturing process.

Micro-assembly is a key enabling technology for cost effective manufacture of new generations of complex micro products. It is also a critical technology for retaining mdustrial capabilities in high labour cost areas such as Europe since up to 80% of the production cost in some industries is attributed directly to assembly processes. With the continuous trend for product miniaturisation, the scientific and technologi­ cal developments in micro-assembly are expected to have a significant long-term economic, demographic and social impact. A distinctive feature of the process is that surface forces are often dominant over gravity forces, which determines a number of specific technical challenges. Critical areas which are currently being addressed include development of assembly systems with high positional accuracy, micro gripping methods that take into ac­ count the adhesive surface forces, high precision micro-feeding techniques and mi­ cro-joining processes. Micro-assembly has developed rapidly over the last few years and all the pre­ dictions are that it will remain a critical technology for high value products in a number of key sectors such as healthcare, communications, defence and aerospace. The key challenge is to match the significant technological developments with a new generation of micro products that will establish firmly micro-assembly as a core manufacturing process.

Customers increasingly expect products that are smaller, have improved functionality and reliability and cost less. Miniaturisation and integration of mechanical, sensing and control functions within confined spaces is becoming an important trend in designing new products in industries such as automotive, biomedical, pharmaceutical and telecommunications. In micromanufacture often manual assembly becomes unfeasible due to the small size of the products. As a result microassembly is becoming a sector of strategic importance in high labour cost areas due to the specific needs of automated fabrication and assembly processes which make outsourcing a less attractive option. It is well recognised that the production of miniaturised products will require radical rethinking and restructuring of the underlying technologies and system engineering approaches in high precision assembly as well as developing unprecedented and unique commercial concepts and infrastructure for delivering new technologies. In precision assembly there is a clear need for modular and highly customisable miniaturised production systems based on plug and produce assembly units with micro and nano accuracy of operation. From the equipment point of view the key emphasis is on developing new solutions for the automatic handling of large volumes of very small parts; development of multi-process microassembly machines using a smaller mechanical base and incorporating a wide variety of specialised product specific processes, capable of meeting the increased demands on process capability, repeatability and traceability.

Micro-assembly is a key enabling technology for cost effective manufacture of new generations of complex micro products. It is also a critical technology for retaining mdustrial capabilities in high labour cost areas such as Europe since up to 80% of the production cost in some industries is attributed directly to assembly processes. With the continuous trend for product miniaturisation, the scientific and technologi­ cal developments in micro-assembly are expected to have a significant long-term economic, demographic and social impact. A distinctive feature of the process is that surface forces are often dominant over gravity forces, which determines a number of specific technical challenges. Critical areas which are currently being addressed include development of assembly systems with high positional accuracy, micro gripping methods that take into ac­ count the adhesive surface forces, high precision micro-feeding techniques and mi­ cro-joining processes. Micro-assembly has developed rapidly over the last few years and all the pre­ dictions are that it will remain a critical technology for high value products in a number of key sectors such as healthcare, communications, defence and aerospace. The key challenge is to match the significant technological developments with a new generation of micro products that will establish firmly micro-assembly as a core manufacturing process.

This book constitutes the refereed post-conference proceedings of the 8th IFIP WG 5.5 International Precision Assembly Seminar, IPAS 2018, held in Chamonix, France, in January 2018. The 20 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. The papers address topics such as machine vision and metrology for assembly operations, gripping and handling technologies, numerical methods and planning in assembly, digital technologies and Industry 4.0 applications, precision assembly methods, assembly systems and platforms and human cooperation, and machine learning. They are organized in the following topical sections: design and deployment of assembly systems; human robot cooperation and machine vision; assembly methods and models; digital technologies and industry 4.0 applications; and gripping and handling solutions in assembly.

This book constitutes the refereed post-conference proceedings of the 8th IFIP WG 5.5 International Precision Assembly Seminar, IPAS 2018, held in Chamonix, France, in January 2018. The 20 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. The papers address topics such as machine vision and metrology for assembly operations, gripping and handling technologies, numerical methods and planning in assembly, digital technologies and Industry 4.0 applications, precision assembly methods, assembly systems and platforms and human cooperation, and machine learning. They are organized in the following topical sections: design and deployment of assembly systems; human robot cooperation and machine vision; assembly methods and models; digital technologies and industry 4.0 applications; and gripping and handling solutions in assembly.

This open access book constitutes the refereed post-conference proceedings of the 9th IFIP WG 5.5 International Precision Assembly Seminar, IPAS 2020, held virtually in December 2020.The 16 revised full papers and 10 revised short papers presented together with 1 keynote paper were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. The papers address topics such as assembly design and planning; assembly operations; assembly cells and systems; human centred assembly; and assistance methods in assembly.

The development of new-generation micro-manufacturing technologies and systems has revolutionised the way products are designed and manufactured today with a s- nificant impact in a number of key industrial sectors. Micro-manufacturing techno- gies are often described as disruptive, enabling and interdisciplinary leading to the creation of whole new classes of products that were previously not feasible to ma- facture. While key processes for volume manufacture of micro-parts such as mach- ing 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. Micro-assembly has developed rapidly over the last few years and all the pred- tions are that it will remain a critical technology for high-value products in a number of key sectors such as healthcare, communications, defence and aerospace. The key challenge is to match the significant technological developments with a new gene- tion of micro-products that will establish firmly micro-assembly as a mature manuf- turing process. th The book includes the set of papers presented at the 5 International Precision - sembly Seminar IPAS 2010 held in Chamonix, France from the 14th to the 17th February 2010.

The development of new-generation micro-manufacturing technologies and systems has revolutionised the way products are designed and manufactured today with a s- nificant impact in a number of key industrial sectors. Micro-manufacturing techno- gies are often described as disruptive, enabling and interdisciplinary leading to the creation of whole new classes of products that were previously not feasible to ma- facture. While key processes for volume manufacture of micro-parts such as mach- ing 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. Micro-assembly has developed rapidly over the last few years and all the pred- tions are that it will remain a critical technology for high-value products in a number of key sectors such as healthcare, communications, defence and aerospace. The key challenge is to match the significant technological developments with a new gene- tion of micro-products that will establish firmly micro-assembly as a mature manuf- turing process. th The book includes the set of papers presented at the 5 International Precision - sembly Seminar IPAS 2010 held in Chamonix, France from the 14th to the 17th February 2010.

The development of new-generation micro-manufacturing technologies and systems has revolutionised the way products are designed and manufactured today with a s- nificant impact in a number of key industrial sectors. Micro-manufacturing techno- gies are often described as disruptive, enabling and interdisciplinary leading to the creation of whole new classes of products that were previously not feasible to ma- facture. While key processes for volume manufacture of micro-parts such as mach- ing 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. Micro-assembly has developed rapidly over the last few years and all the pred- tions are that it will remain a critical technology for high-value products in a number of key sectors such as healthcare, communications, defence and aerospace. The key challenge is to match the significant technological developments with a new gene- tion of micro-products that will establish firmly micro-assembly as a mature manuf- turing process. th The book includes the set of papers presented at the 5 International Precision - sembly Seminar IPAS 2010 held in Chamonix, France from the 14th to the 17th February 2010.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 6th IFIP WG 5.5 International Precision Assembly Seminar, IPAS 2012, held in Chamonix, France, in February 2012. The 15 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. The papers are organized into the following topical sections: micro processes and systems; handling and manipulation in assembly; tolerance management and error compensation methods; metrology and quality control; intelligent control of assembly systems; and process selection and modelling techniques.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 6th IFIP WG 5.5 International Precision Assembly Seminar, IPAS 2012, held in Chamonix, France, in February 2012. The 15 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. The papers are organized into the following topical sections: micro processes and systems; handling and manipulation in assembly; tolerance management and error compensation methods; metrology and quality control; intelligent control of assembly systems; and process selection and modelling techniques.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 6th IFIP WG 5.5 International Precision Assembly Seminar, IPAS 2012, held in Chamonix, France, in February 2012. The 15 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. The papers are organized into the following topical sections: micro processes and systems; handling and manipulation in assembly; tolerance management and error compensation methods; metrology and quality control; intelligent control of assembly systems; and process selection and modelling techniques.

This book constitutes the refereed post-proceedings of the 7th IFIP WG 5.5 International Precision Assembly Seminar, IPAS 2014, held in Chamonix, France, in February 2014. The 20 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. The papers cover the following topics: micro-assembly processes and systems ranging from desktop factory automation and packaging of MEMS to self-assembly processes and platforms; handling and manipulation, including flexible gripper systems, fixturing and high precision actuators; tolerance management and error-compensation techniques applied at different scales of precision assembly; metrology and quality control; intelligent assembly control; process selection, modelling and planning.

This book constitutes the refereed post-proceedings of the 7th IFIP WG 5.5 International Precision Assembly Seminar, IPAS 2014, held in Chamonix, France, in February 2014. The 20 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. The papers cover the following topics: micro-assembly processes and systems ranging from desktop factory automation and packaging of MEMS to self-assembly processes and platforms; handling and manipulation, including flexible gripper systems, fixturing and high precision actuators; tolerance management and error-compensation techniques applied at different scales of precision assembly; metrology and quality control; intelligent assembly control; process selection, modelling and planning.

This book constitutes the refereed post-proceedings of the 7th IFIP WG 5.5 International Precision Assembly Seminar, IPAS 2014, held in Chamonix, France, in February 2014. The 20 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. The papers cover the following topics: micro-assembly processes and systems ranging from desktop factory automation and packaging of MEMS to self-assembly processes and platforms; handling and manipulation, including flexible gripper systems, fixturing and high precision actuators; tolerance management and error-compensation techniques applied at different scales of precision assembly; metrology and quality control; intelligent assembly control; process selection, modelling and planning.

This book contains contemporary discussions on technology, business models, and the adoption of digital manufacturing systems. The book's initial chapters cover technological details underpinning the digital manufacturing systems, for example, cyber-physical systems and digital twins. Next, the book discusses how organizations modify their business models using concepts such as servitization and platforms to leverage digital manufacturing. The latter chapters focus on how a country's unique economic and infrastructural context influences digital manufacturing adoption in terms of technology and business models and frameworks to evaluate readiness for digital manufacturing. With perspectives from different continents, the book appeals to academic researchers and industry alike.