Modular and re-organizable micromanipulation station

Abstract : A new concept of microfactory is explored : modular, re-configurable and re-organizable microfactory. The concept is extended inside a station. Each component is observed as a plugand-actuate elementary module. The basic function of a station is the pick-and-place : that offers the possibility of re-organizability. Instead of a microgripper, two independent arms are used in order to work with microparts with a high range of dimension. In the first prototype, each arm moves thanks to a stick-skid piezoelectric based microactuator. Its principle is explained and results of simulations are presented.