Micromanufacturing

This chapter provides brief information on some of the micromanufacturing techniques. The microforming processes refers to downscaled version of conventional forming techniques including forging, extrusion, heading, punching, blanking, deep-drawing, stamping, hydroforming, etc. Processes in the electrical/chemical micromanufacturing use top-down approach and form the workpiece with different material removal effects including electric discharge melting, laser melting, laser ablation, chemical dissolution, etc. The continuously increasing level of integration in micromechanical products requires precise machining and joining technologies. Electron beam machining (EBM) is thermal machining process in which use of a focused beam of high-velocity electrons result in instant heating, melting, or vaporization of material. It has a variety of applications including drilling, cutting, annealing, surface treatment, and welding. Marking, labeling, and sample characterization can also be performed through EBM. The chapter also discusses laser-assisted forming or in other words laser beam machining processes.