Design Methodology in Micro Technology

In micro mechanics, there exist extensive activities making products and systems available according to customer’s needs in large-batch and medium-sized production. The predominant research effort concentrates on the constitution and optimisation of the processes for production, manipulation and quality assurance. An aspect how to reach the optimal function of a product in compliance with the requirements is so far missing. The issue presented consecutively sets a first step to a specific penetration of the product development process for primary shaped micro components from metallic and ceramic materials with a high load carrying ability. The approach for influencing the required function by product design is subjected to an orientation to production based requirements. To transfer design relevant know-how derived from the production technologies into the early design phases corresponding design rules were defined. These design rules act as a methodological aid accompanying the product design. To demonstrate the performance of this methodological aid the development of a micro planetary gear was accompanied. Moreover, the design rules were computer-aided made available within a knowledge-based design environment divided into an information unit and an embodiment design unit.