Virtual reality for microassembly

The growing demand for advanced micro-devices that integrate various sensors and actuators, e.g. for biomedical applications, has created a strong need for assembly units that can meet high precision and manipulation requirements. However, developing a sophisticated machine that can fulfill these requirements solves only a part of the problem - having a skilled person that can program and operate the machine must also be addressed. The user interface should provide sufficient information to perform any assembly operation, however, it should also hide or abstract information that would distract the operator from the main task. Controlling the information flow from/to the user and to/from the machine is performed by representing the real environment in a virtual one. This additional layer of abstraction between the user and the machine is based on a standard virtual reality (VR) approach. This paper demonstrates the integration of such a VR system into an existing microassembly station.