This paper presents the issues typically occurring when integrating, into a single product, functions that can only be realised by employing different length scale features (macro, meso, micro and down to nano). The discussion is supported by the responses of a survey performed on 88 European research and development projects conducted by members of the multi-material micro manufacture (4M) community in Europe. Two main issues are highlighted as critical for a successful multi-scale integration. The first one relates to the concurrent design of materials properties and manufacturing processes. The second focuses on the need for new production approaches and organisational models applied by companies.
['Samuel Bigot', 'Roussi Minev', 'Stefan Simeonov Dimov', 'Todor Dobrev']
Function and length scale integration in innovative products - technical solutions and new organisational models