MM Live 2011 preview - Birmingham NEC from 27-29 September

The MM Live series of events is among the world's most important for micro- manufacturing technologies. Along with co-located shows MEMS Live UK and NANO Live UK, the three-day 2011 event will offer prospective visitors an all-encompassing platform for small and ultra-precision parts technology, provided by more than 120 exhibitors. Lasers, inevitably, have a core role in many manufacturing technologies for micro and nano parts, and among the exhibitors specialising in this field is JK Lasers (01788 570321), part of the GSI Group, which will be showcasing the JK500L, recently added to its range of fibre lasers. The JK500FL benefits from a 500 W source coupled with single-mode beam quality and patented back-reflection protection. It has been designed to be a modular system that is compatible with the standard range of JK fibre laser process tools for cutting and welding. The invention of the manual laser welding system by Rofin (01327 701100) in 1992 was the first to allow users to hand-hold the part being welded and precisely position the weld, using a microscope. Now, the new Performance, which represents the 7th generation of manual welding lasers from Rofin, will be launched at MM Live. It features a new SpeedMode feature, which enables the laser to deliver higher power and faster welding than previously possible. Image: The new Performance represents the 7th generation of manual welding lasers from Rofin Visitors looking for laser marking and engraving may want to take a look at the new Foba G3 on the stand of TLM Laser (0845 260 2220), which is able to apply fine 2D/3D engravings on 3D surfaces and mark medical instruments, equipment and implants, as well as luxury goods such as watches and jewellery. The G3 uses Foba's automatic vision system, IMP (Intelligent Mark Positioning), which detects workpieces and their location automatically, adjusting the marking/engraving accordingly. Image: Laser marking and engraving from Foba SUBCONTRACT SERVICES For those not looking to invest in new equipment, but would rather someone else take the strain, look no further than Delphi Laser Micromachining (+86 512 8717 9110), which operates around 30 laser systems from its base in Suzhou, China. Services offered include laser scribing, dicing, etching, marking, micro-cutting, micro-drilling and material ablation. Of course, there will be many subcontractors present at the show, offering a whole gamut of services. For instance, stamped component specialist Brandauer (0121 359 2822) is looking to celebrate its 150th anniversary in style by targeting new customers in the micro-engineering sector, while, from a moulding perspective, Accumold (+1 515 964 5741) will display product examples demonstrating its capabilities in moulding, such as micro-structures, two-shot micro-moulding and micro-optics. Although manufacturing takes centre stage at the exhibition, measurement technology is granted an equally prominent place. Among the many new equipment offerings at the show will be the WMC weigh module from Mettler Toledo (0116 234 5005). With a compact width of 25 mm, the company says it is the smallest high precision weighing sensor in the world. The WMC has a capacity of 20 g and a readability of 0.00001 g. Switching to dimensional and feature/surface measurement, 3D optical inspection specialist Alicona (01732 746670) will be exhibiting measurement solutions from its range of focus-variation-based products and running live demonstrations. The company is actively encouraging visitors to bring along measurement problems to try out the technology and see what it can offer over conventional measurement techniques. The key product will be InfiniteFocus, a non-contact 3D optical system that provides critical topographic measurement data to measure form and finish, plus finish on form. Retaining the optical theme, Omniscan (01978 844155) says that the ZeMapper surface mapping system offers a new concept in non-contact surface profiling. Using only visible light for measurement, the unit provides a rigid platform for improved stability and increased accuracy by reducing vibration-induced errors. Image: The InfiniteFocus - a non-contact 3D optical system that provides critical topographic measurement data Ultimately, the 3D surface measurements deliver volume, shape, roughness and step heights. Visitors are being asked to bring samples to witness demonstrations, first hand. Over on the stand of Bruker (01554 233500), the ContourGT range of optical profilers can measure 3D surface roughness, flatness, critical dimensions, film thickness and form. A new Acuity XR mode delivers lateral feature resolution to 130 nm, breaking the optical diffraction limit on both smooth and stepped surfaces. Another first is being claimed by Vision Engineering (01483 248300), which will launch its Swift Duo at the show – thought to be the first video measuring system to incorporate a measuring microscope. Now, in addition to the speed and simplicity of a video measuring system, previously difficult-to-view samples can also be measured and inspected on the same system, in the same routine, by the same operator. Image: The first video measuring system to incorporate a measuring microscope? So says Vision Engineering Metrology equipment using multiple means of measurement is a growing trend that will not escape show visitors. For example, Carl Zeiss (01788 821770) will be launching its O-Inspect multi-sensor CMM with new chromatic white light sensor for very small and sensitive workpieces that feature a transparent, glossy or low contrast surface. For those seeking entry-level solutions, Metrology Direct (01452 725241) will feature the new Micro-Vu Vertex 251 camera-based CMM. Designed to measure smaller components, such as pressed parts, circuit boards, O-rings, seals and plastic mouldings, the Vertex 251 offers a magnification range of 16-540x in normal mode and as much as 32-1080x with an optional multiplier. Image: The new Micro-Vu Vertex 251 is a camera-based CMM NON-CONTACT SHAFT MEASUREMENT On the same stand will be the new Opticline C302 optical non-contact shaft measuring system from Hommel-Etamic. One of its key features is the continual automatic verification of its calibration status each time it takes a measurement. Moving down a notch or two, in terms of measurement scale, that is, the new TM3000 from Hitachi High Technologies (01628 585200) is the company's second-generation tabletop scanning electron microscope for applications in materials and polymer science, semiconductors, nano technology, biotechnology and medical device development. In fact, many applications in this technology field are driven by the semiconductor industry and it would be remiss not to mention some of the more exciting innovations on show. For instance, in-process measurement of the thickness of silicon wafer substrates and the depth of blind vias are regular operations in semiconductor manufacturing. As a result, the CHRocodile IT sensor system from Armstrong Optical (01604 654220) is based on laser diode technology and offers thickness measurement in the range from 18 micron to 3 mm in air, with a resolution of better than 60 nm for silicon. Elsewhere at the show, the new MicroProf 200 TTV MHU measuring system from Fries Research & Technology (+49 2204 84 2430) offers wafer manufacturers and the semiconductor industry the automated and easily integrated tool needed to monitor production parameters, such as TTV, thickness, BOW, warp and 3D topography. Such monitoring can markedly increase quality and yield. A two-arm vacuum gripper automatically places the wafers from up to four cassettes to the measuring position. Other innovations in this area include a new product from IBD Technologies (01225 899255) that allows the exposure of photo sensitive resist layers without any masking layer, while visitors to the stand of X-FAB (+49 361 427 6560) will discover that new ready-to-use design IP blocks for acceleration sensors have been added to the company's MEMS foundry service offerings. This event offers a truly diverse range of manufacturing solutions for micro and nano applications. Everything from tiny fasteners from Japanese Screws, a division of Heads & All Threads (121 506 6300), through to the mixing and homogenising systems offered by Dena Technology (01226 388805), which were inspired by observing the natural forces of sea waves dispersing sand over a rocky beach – ultimately, plenty to engage the imagination of every engineer. First published in Machinery, August 2011