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

Capillary Forces in MicroassemblyВ discusses the use of capillary forces as a gripping principle in microscale assembly. Clearly written and well-organized, this text brings togetherВ physical conceptsВ 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 theВ simulation and experimental test benchВ 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-componentsВ isВ predicted. These developments areВ then appliedВ in a case studyВ concerningВ the pick and place of ballsВ in aВ watch ball bearing.

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