Manipulation of Van der Waals' forces by geometrical parameters in micro-material handling

Abstract

This paper explores the manipulation of Van der Waals' forces by geometrical parameters in a micro-material handling system. It was observed that the flat-flat interactive surfaces exerted the highest intensity of Van der Waals' forces followed by cone-flat, cylinder-flat, sphere-flat and sphere-sphere interactive surfaces, respectively. A conical micro-gripper proved to be versatile in manipulating the Van der Waals' forces efficiently in a 'picking up' and 'releasing' mechanism of micro-work parts. It was deduced that the pick-up position should be rough and spherical, and the placement position should be smooth and flat for an effective 'pick-and-place' cycle to be realised.