Abstract
Ultra precision and micro machining processes become more and more important. This can be led back to the development of functionalized surfaces and parts and the mass production of smaller products e.g. lenses for personal devices. With increasing application and distribution, the importance of sustainability in these processes also increases. In this paper, an overview of ultra precision and micro machining in a system approach is given and the most decisive input parameters are elaborated. Included are general findings and current issues of process design with regard to the economic, environmental and social dimension of sustainability. Finally, it is discussed how the sustainability of ultra precision and micro machining can be increased and for which class of products certain strategies are recommended.
Highlights
Manufacturing technologies offer plenty of opportunities to improve sustainability by reducing environmental impact or by the more efficient use of resources
Definitions for ultra precision machining and micro machining processes are provided by Mativenga [7] and Brinksmeier [8] in the CIRP Encyclopedia of Production Engineering
A method to assess the environmental impact of products, services or systems on the environment is the life cycle assessment (LCA) standardized by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) in standard ISO1404ff [14]
Summary
Manufacturing technologies offer plenty of opportunities to improve sustainability by reducing environmental impact or by the more efficient use of resources. Possible improvements in sustainability are related to processes, machines or the overall system. To realize the idea of green manufacturing, all production technologies have to be examined with respect to their possible contribution to improved sustainability [1, 2]. Dornfeld et al [3] postulated the concept of “technology wedges” that reduce the current consumption rate stepwise aiming at the fulfillment of the sustainability requirements. This approach relies on the basic idea that the sum of many small changes or improvements is equivalent to a major change. To the best knowledge of the authors, no comprehensive overview of the sustainability aspects of ultra precision and micro machining has been published. International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology (2019) 6:601–610
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