Object manipulation

Object manipulation

Keywords: Patents, Fabrication, Manufacture, Machining

Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation, USAPatent number: US6,199,269Publication date: 13 March 2001Title:Manipulation of micromechanical objects

This patent presents an aid for the manipulation of micromechanical objects during fabrication and manufacture. It aims to provide a simple method for simultaneously handling large number of micromechanical objects.

A combination of microfabricated objects are disclosed which comprises a plurality of micro-tools connected via a micro attachment link to a manipulator as an aid for handling the micro-tool. This facilitates human or machine interaction with the combination of micro tools, either for subsequent processing, or for the assembly of the micro-tools into a completed product. The micro-tools are attached in a sequence that is optimised for assembly. The links allow severing of individual micro-tools from the combination as needed and the manipulator provides an aid for handling the combination via probe, pliers,clasping, mating or other device.