Capillary Forces in Microassembly: Modeling, Simulation, Experiments, and Case Study [Hardcover]

Capillary Forces in Microassembly discusses the use of capillary forces as a gripping principle in microscale assembly. Clearly written and well-organized, this text brings together physical concepts at the microscale with practical applications in micromanipulation. Throughout this work, the reader will find a review of the existing gripping principles, elements to model capillary forces as well as descriptions of the simulation and experimental test bench developed to study the design parameters. Using well-known concepts from surface science (such as surface tension, capillary effects, wettability, and contact angles) as inputs to mechanical models, the amount of effort required to handle micro-components is predicted. These developments are then applied in a case study concerning the pick and place of balls in a watch ball bearing.

Researchers and engineers involved in micromanipulation and precision assembly will find this a highly useful reference for microassembly system design and analysis.

Microassembly Specificities.- From Conventional Assembly to Microassembly.- Classification of Forces Acting in the Microworld.- Handling Principles for Microassembly.- Conclusions.- Modeling and Simulation of Capillary Forces.- First Set of Parameters.- State of the Art on the Capillary Force Models at Equilibrium.- Static Simulation at Constant Volume of Liquid.- Comparisons Between the Capillary Force Models.- Example 1: Application to the Modeling of a Microgripper for Watch Bearings.- Second Set of Parameters.- Limits of the Static Simulation.- Approaching Contact Distance, Rupture Criteria, and Volume Repartition After Separation.- Example 2: Numerical Implementation of the Proposed Models.- Conclusions of the Theoretical Study of Capillary Forces.- Experimental Aspects.- Test Bed and Chl#O