Handling in miniature – a gripper that fits in a matchbox
The tide of miniaturization has now swept into all areas of life, and is evident in our private lives, too. The computer, which just a few years ago still looked rather bulky, has mutated in no time to a smart electronic miracle that fits into your pocket. For some time now, the cell phone has been a communications all-rounder – even the electric toothbrush is evolving into an intelligent high-tech device for perfect oral hygiene! The trend of combining an increasing number of functions in the smallest possible space in virtually every area of life faces modern production and assembly with a whole new set of requirements. For assembly systems and the associated handling components must also keep pace with this miniaturization of parts. The demands facing these dwarf-sized modules are exacting: they have to be fast, highly precise and extremely flexible. Furthermore, clever technical solutions have to be found in order to outwit the physical peculiarities of the micro-environment.
The importance of microsystem technology
In Germany, microsystem technology plays a key role for growth and employment. According to figures from the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), 680,000 jobs are directly connected to microsystem technology – and the tendency is rising. In order for the German economy to retain and advance its leading position on the international market, developments in microsystem technology have to be rapidly implemented in products and marketed. To this end, the BMBF is making around € 260 million available between 2004 and 2009 in its framework "Microsystems" program.
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With its outer diameter of just 20 mm, the MWPG miniature-changing- parallel-gripper from SCHUNK is truly tiny. Thanks to standard interfaces, it can be combined with modules from the GEMOTEC system.
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