Autor: Jürgen Hesselbach

For micro assembly processes, assembly accuracy in the range of one micron is required. In the following some strategies for enhancement of accuracy in micro assembly are shown by means of two different assembly systems. First, a self-developed assembly system consisting out of a parallel robot for micro assembly, a 3D vision sensor, grippers, magazines and fixtures is presented. Second, a cartesian robot that endues over a 2D vision sensor, a force sensor and a confocal laser scanning microscope is described. On the basis of examples for micro assembly processes the application limitations of both systems are depicted.

After-sales services generate a high percentage of today’s business volume in the industry of producer goods. Basis of after-sales services is the availability of spare parts for a contracted timeframe of support. A long term provision of electronic spare parts, however, faces problems because of short innovation cycles and the resulting decreasing availability of components. A closed-loop supply chain integrating manufacturer and treatment facilities provides an opportunity to ensure a long-term provision of spare parts by using components of used equipment.