Abstract
Component miniaturization and its growing demand have challenged the industry and researchers to find new manufacturing methods to fabricate micro-components with precision, good quality and high productivity. As most of the conventional processes presents limitations in terms of scaling from macro to micro manufacturing and have additional finishing processes requirements, the likely choice is then the nonconventional manufacturing processes. These processes are called non-conventional as there is no direct contact between tool and the workpiece, like in the conventional ones thus, eliminating entirely theinduced stresses and the tool wear. Furthermore, the non-conventional processes have the capability to scale down to micro-dimensional level without difficulty. However, each non-conventional process will have its limitations and applicability to either meso (1-10 mm) micro(under 1 mm) or nanoscale. There is a diversity of processes labelled as non-conventional from chemical, photochemical and lithography based processes to spark erosion, abrasive water erosion and laser beam based processes...
D.Phil. (Mechanical Engineering)