Desktop flexible manufacturing system by movable miniature robots-miniature robots with micro tool and sensor

This paper describes the basic structure and performance of miniature robots which incorporate micro-tool and micro-probe to perform practical precise operation. In the experiment, typical results in the microscopic level such as fine grating, micro indenting are demonstrated and it is discussed that strategy of a combination of centralized and distributed manner might be useful to achieve both productivity and flexibility in manufacturing and the architecture based on production process including capability recognition, initial planning, grouping and dispatching to the working area will be described to control multiple miniature robots under graphical simulation for the desktop precise flexible manufacturing system