Key Problems in Microforming Processes of Microparts

From the viewpoint of production engineering, microforming is considered as an effective process to fabricate various microparts. Several key problems in microforming processes were investigated. A new microforming apparatus with a high stiffness piezoelectric actuator as the punch driver was developed to produce microparts.To improve the forming abilities and locate the billets, a floating microdie was designed. The size effects of the billets and die cavities on the microforming abilities were studied with upsetting and coining tests, respectively.And the isothermal microforming process of microgears was performed with the developed microforming apparatus. Several analysis methods were used to evaluate the forming quality of the microparts.