Micro-production using Bits-out technologies

Micro products can be characterised as having at least one critical dimension or functional feature in the sub-mm range. The production of such micro components requires the use of processes usually combined into complex process chains. The choice of processes depends largely on the material involved and on the complexity and characteristics of the components. For micro products in metals, polymers or ceramics down-scaling of macro-scale production technologies is a suitable way forward. This however poses challenges in terms of the so-called size effects and also the supporting technologies such as handling, assembly and metrology are largely affected by the downscaling. This presentation will focus on the challenges of process chain realisation when freeform surfaces have to be produced for example using replication processes.