Ultrasonic Microforming

The increasing demand of miniature mechanicaldevices and systems for applications in electronics,biotechnology, and environmental monitoring,requires novel manufacturing processes. Microformingis well suited for miniaturization because of higherproductivity, accuracy and minimum material loss.Despite the advantages of microforming, fullutilization of this process has not been realizedyet. Some of the technical challenges related withminiaturization that need to be addressed beforemicroforming can become commercially viable arematerial flow behavior, higher friction, andfabrication of micro-tools. This monograph presentsultrasonic technology as a method of overcoming someof these challenges. The ultrasonic technology canimprove the quality of microformed parts byenhancing the tribological conditions, increasingsurface integrity, and reducing the forming forces,thus prolonging tool life. Various issues areaddressed in the monograph including the physics ofthe ultrasonic microforming process, prediction ofheat generation due to ultrasonic vibration and theapplication of finite element analysis in designingan ultrasonic microforming system.

Autorentext
Cristina Bunget, MS: Mechanical Engineering, PhD Candidate atNorth Carolina State University, Raleigh NC, USA.Dr. Gracious Ngaile, a faculty member in the Department ofMechanical and Aerospace Engineering and director of AdvancedManufacturing and Tribology Research Laboratory, North CarolinaState University, Raleigh NC, USA.

Klappentext
The increasing demand of miniature mechanical devices and systems for applications in electronics, biotechnology, and environmental monitoring, requires novel manufacturing processes. Microforming is well suited for miniaturization because of higher productivity, accuracy and minimum material loss. Despite the advantages of microforming, full utilization of this process has not been realized yet. Some of the technical challenges related with miniaturization that need to be addressed before microforming can become commercially viable are material flow behavior, higher friction, and fabrication of micro-tools. This monograph presents ultrasonic technology as a method of overcoming some of these challenges. The ultrasonic technology can improve the quality of microformed parts by enhancing the tribological conditions, increasing surface integrity, and reducing the forming forces, thus prolonging tool life. Various issues are addressed in the monograph including the physics of the ultrasonic microforming process, prediction of heat generation due to ultrasonic vibration and the application of finite element analysis in designing an ultrasonic microforming system.