Applications of precision engineering, generally defined as manufacturing to tolerances that are better than one part in 10⁵, abound and can be found in various semiconductor processes (e.g., lithography, wafer probing, inspection), co-ordinate measuring machines, precision metrology systems (e.g., scanning probe microscopy), and robot/machine tools to carry out micro-assembly (e.g., micro-electro-mechanical systems) and delicate short-wavelength laser processes.

Precision Motion Control (second edition) focuses on enabling technologies for precision engineering...

In an era of intense competition where plant operating efficiencies must be maximized, downtime due to machinery failure has become more costly. To cut operating costs and increase revenues, industries have an urgent need to predict fault progression and remaining lifespan of industrial machines, processes, and systems. An engineer who mounts an acoustic sensor onto a spindle motor wants to know when the ball bearings will wear out without having to halt the ongoing milling processes. A scientist working on sensor networks wants to know which sensors are redundant and can be pruned off to...

Force and Position Control of Mechatronic Systems provides an overview of the general concepts and technologies in the area of force and position control. Novel ideas and innovations related to this area are presented and reported in detail, and examples of applications in medical technology are given.

The book begins by introducing force sensing, and modelling of contacting objects. In then moves steadily through a variety of topics, including:

•       disturbance observer-based force estimation;

•     ...