Autor: Bernd Kuhfuß

A huge variety of micro-sized sensors and actuators are created using methods of Micro Systems Technology (MST). The limitation of this technology is the use of stacked layers so that no real 3D-structures can be created. This barrier can be overcome by combining MST-processes with subsequent forming-processes to transform the flat structures into 3D objects. This is demonstrated with the forming of a planar coil arrangement into a cylindrical micro motor.

Micro rotary swaging is introduced as micro forming process for homogenous and compound parts. Application fields are seen within surgery, mechatronics, micro drives etc. The specific process limits are addressed. Demonstrator parts are shown to give an impression of the process capabilities. These are a combined laser melt/plunge swaged ball geometry and joined parts of different materials. The use of micro rotary swaging offers mostly the same advantages that are known from the macro world. Keywords: