Busting several myths about manufacturing’s smallest technologies

According to research from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) micromanufacturing and nanomanufacturing are becoming the biggest thing to occur in manufacturing since the moving assembly line. A recent survey found that out of 400 manufacturing professionals who expressed an interest in micromanufacturing, half are already using it to produce products. And more than 60% indicate an interest in nanomanufacturing. Such interest bodes well for product designers who are exploring either new micro and nano products or equipment that could be used in this budding industry.

But, says SME, adoption is not as rapid as it could be because of several myths associated with these smallest manufacturing processes.

Myth #1: Nanomanufacturing and micromanufacturing are technologies that may be something great in the future, but they are not viable for today’s business environment.
Fact: Both nanomanufacturing and micromanufacturing are actively used by a number of manufacturers. Nanomanufacturing is a key enabler of the new generation of lithium batteries for electric cars. Micromanufacturing is used by Boeing, RubberMaid, Gillette, and others.

Myth #2: Micromanufacturing is only used in the electronics industry.
Fact: Not any more. Micromanufacturing reaches beyond electronics. For example, it is essential in the production of many medical devices and critical aerospace systems.

Myth #3: Micro and nano are just reduced sizes of “life-sized” objects.
Fact: The rules of the game are changed when dealing with these technologies. There are significant process and material behavior changes important to design choices.

Myth #4: If I can machine “small” stuff, I can “micro” machine.
Fact: Machining micro pieces requires special tools and skills. In traditional machining, for example, the greater force is exerted by the tool onto the material. For micromanufacturing, it flips, and the material exerts more force on the tool.

Myth #5: If I can mold “small” stuff, I can mold micro particles.
Fact: Molding micro pieces also requires special tools and skills. Often with micro molding, the piece or feature is smaller than the pellet size of the material. This requires special attention to the flow, pressure, fill time and increased impact of the material reaction with the mold wall and, most critically, the design of the mold itself.

Myth #6: Tools, suppliers, and materials are practically non-existent.
Fact: While that once was true, it’s not so much any more. There are growing numbers of processes, tools, materials and suppliers available for manufacturers ready to move into micro and nano manufacturing.

There will be a MicroManufacturing Conference & Exhibitions and the NanoManufacturing Conference Exhibitions, April 14-15, 2010, at the Hilton Phoenix East in Mesa, Ariz., for designers who want to learn more about manufacturing considerations in the design of micro and nano devices and systems. The MicroManufacturing Conference will focus on how manufacturers can improve part quality and lower production costs, as well as gain a better understanding of the proper techniques and applications that can be used in daily operations. The NanoManufacturing Conference will cover the latest nanotechnology applications and trends in top-down fabrication and bottom-up assembly.