SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MICRO SHEET METAL WORKING

R. Eckstein, M. Geiger, U. Engel

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany

Sheet metal working processes are frequently used for the production of electronic devices. They enable the production of very small parts with high accuracy and productivity. Nevertheless, the continuous miniaturization of electronics causes the necessity of further investigation to get a fundamental comprehension of the micro forming processes.
This paper deals with some of the effects that occur when the dimensions of forming processes are scaled down, while the micro structure of the working material remains constant. As a result, for instance the flow stress, which is determined in tensile tests, decreases with increasing miniaturisation. Additionally, some effects that are caused by the specific shape of the typical workpieces of the electronics industry and the applied materials are discussed. This is, for example, the influence of the anisotropy of the sheet metal on the maximum punching force.

Keywords: micro forming, anisotropy, blanking, size effects, electronics production