Paradigm change: small machine tools for small workpieces

To overcome current limitations in micro manufacturing a new approach instead of evolutionary small step progress has to take place. Applying small machine tools to manufacture small workpieces allows for a leap of improvements enabled by the small size itself. This miniaturization in comparison to simply down-scaling current concepts qualifies the use of materials and technologies commonly not found in machine tools. This contribution describes the aspects, methodology, qualifications as well as cause and effects pursued by the approach of small machine tools for small workpieces.