Microforming Technology

Chapter 3

Scaling Laws

Abstract

With the ongoing trend toward miniaturization, ever smaller mechanical, optical, and electronic devices are becoming increasingly popular. Unfortunately, forming theories and technologies established in the macro world cannot be simply scaled down to the micro world to make high-quality miniaturized products, because it is impossible to scale down all parameters in the microforming process according to the theory of similarity due to size effects. There are a number of different scaling laws depending on their involvement in the fields of applications. In this chapter, the scaling laws in miniaturization, especially those applicable to microforming process are presented. Topics covered in this chapter include scaling ...