precision – TechConnect Briefs

A Rapid Prototyping and Mass-Production Platform of Microfluidic Devices

Craig Kung P., Kung Y.L., Holcombe D., Grace R.H., Ungelenk G., Piechotka E., Seiferth W., Optotrack, Inc., US

Microfluidic chips, disposable biosensors, and micro-optical devices have been primarily manufactured from silicon- or glass-based substrates for years. This approach involves sophisticated production tools, tedious development processes, and clean-room conditions. Given today’s fierce competition in [...]

Modeling the Effects of Joint Clearances in Planar Micromechanisms

Wittwer J.W., Howell L.L., Chase K.W., Brigham Young University, US

Surface micromachining of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) has inherent limitations that can lead to mechanisms having an undesirable amount of clearance in revolute and prismatic joints. In micro devices, where actua-tion of the mechanisms is often [...]