Tool-based micro-machining

There is a growing demand for industrial products not only with increased number of functions but also of reduced dimensions. Micro-machining is the most basic technology for the production of such miniaturized parts and components. Since miniaturization of industrial products had been the trend of technological development, micro-machining is expected to play increasingly important roles in today's manufacturing technology. Micro-machining based on lithography has many disadvantages unlike tool-based micro-machining technology such as micro-turning, micro-grinding, micro-EDM and micro-ECM have many advantages in productivity, efficiency, flexibility and cost effectiveness. However, difficulties, as the machining unit reduced, are still remained to be solved to utilize the tool-based machining technology for micro-machining. In this paper, recent achievements at NUS in the area of tool-based micro-machining are introduced. Micro-electro-discharge machining (micro-EDM) and micro-Turning technology are developed to produce miniaturized parts and features using a multi-purpose miniature machine tool for hybrid processes which is developed at NUS.