Design Issues for Microformed Sheet Metal Components

With the miniaturization of sheet metal working, a new method for designing the component and the associated manufacturing process must be sought. Standard methods for tolerances synthesis, formability study and part inspection are inadequate when applied to under millimeter components. The dimensional and geometrical tolerances are often of the same order of magnitude as the part dimensions, making harder the realization of functional assemblies. Micro-formed parts exhibit a peculiar behavior during the forming steps due to the so-called size effects. Furthermore, the inspection of micro-parts requires statistical approach and special instrumentation.