Abstract
The microfactory is the downsized manufacturing system, which consist of the miniature machine tools and the micro manipulators, and it has a potential to reduce the energy consumption, to save occupied space and to increase the flexibility for changing products. This paper describes the development of the micro press machine, which can works as one of the components of the machining desktop-type microfactory. The key of the development is to downsize the mechanisms according to the required press force. From this point of view, firstly, the experimental micro press system was constructed and measured the press force. then, considering the result, the micro press machine has been developed, which has a small progressive die and a compact roll feed device. Its dimension is only 111mm wide, 66mm deep and 170mm high, but is has the maximum press force of about 3 kN. The micro press machine can process from the metal strip of 120μm thick to housing cover of the miniature bearing using four blanking and two bending included in single die set. These results can prove the usefulness of the micro press machine for actual production of small mechanical parts.
