邵阳学院毕业设计（论文）附录： Micro-machineFrom the beginning, mankind seems instinctively to have desired large machines and small machines. That is, large” and “small” in comparison with human-scale. Machine larger than human are powerful allies in the battle against the fury of nature; smaller machines are loyal partners that do whatever they are told.1.introduceIf we compare the facility and technology of manufacturing larger machines, common sense tells us that the smaller machines are easier to make. Nevertheless, throughout the history of technology, larger machines have always stood out. The size of the restored models of the water-mill invented by Vitruvius in the Roman Era, the windmill of the Middle Ages, and the steam engine invented by Watt is overwhelming. On the other hand, smaller machines in history of technology are mostly tools. If smaller machines are easier to make, a variety of such machines should exist, but until modern times, no significant small machines existed except for guns and clocksThis fact may imply that smaller machines were actually more difficult to make. Of course , this does not mean simply that it was difficult to make a small machine; It means that it was difficult to invent a small machine that would be significant to human beings.Some people might say that mankind may not have wanted smaller machines. This theory, however ,dies not explain the recent popularity of palm-size mechatronics products.Some people might say that mankind may not have wanted smaller machines. This theory, however, does not explain the recent popularity of palm-size mechatronics products.The absence of small machines in history may be due to the extreme difficulty in manufacturing small precision parts.2. Why micromachine nowThe dream of the ultimate small machine, or micro-machine, was first depicted in detail about 30 years ago in the 1966 movie “Fantastic Voyage”. At that time, the study of micro-machining of semiconductors had already begun. Therefore, manufacturing minute mechanisms through micro-machining of semiconductors would have been possible, even that time,. There was, however, a wait of over 20 years before the introduction, about 10 years ago, of electrostatic motors and gears made by semiconductor micromachining.Why didnt the study of micro-machining and the dream of micro-machines meet earlier? A possible reason for this is as follows. In addition to micro-machining, the development of micromachines requires a number of technologies including materials, instrumentations, control, energy, information processing, and design. Before micro-machine research and development can be started, all of these technologies must reach a certain level. In other words, the overall technological level, as a whole, must reach a certain critical point, but it hadnt reached that point 30 ago.Approximately 20 years after “Fantastic Voyage”., the technology level for micromachines finally reached a critical point. Micromotors and gears made by semiconductor micromachining were introduced at about that time, triggering the research on development of micromachines.The backgroud of the micromachine boom, which started about 10 years ago, can be explained by the above.3.micromachine as gentle machinesHow do micromachines of the future differ from conventional machines? How will they change the relationship between nature and humans?The most unique feature of micro-machine is, of course, its small size. Utilizing its tiny dimensions, a micromachine can perform tasks in a revolutionary way that would be impossible for conventional machines. That is, micro-machines do not affect the object or the environment as much as conventional machines do. Micromachines perform their tasks gently. This is a fundamental difference between micromachines and conventional machines.The medical field holds the highest expectations for benefits from this feature of micromachines. Diadnosis and treatment will change drastically from conventional methods, and “Fantastic Voyage” may no longer be a fantasy. If a micromachine can gently enter a human body to treat illness, humans will be freed from painful surgery and uncomfortable gastro-camera testing. Furtherore, if micro-machines can halt the trend of ever-increasing size in medical equipment, it could slow the excess growth and complexity of medical technology, contributing to the solving of serious problems with high medical costs for citizens.Micro-machines are gentle also in terms of machine maintenance, since they can be inspected and repaired without difficulty in reaching and overhauling the engine or plant. The more complex the machine, the more susceptible it is to malfunction due to overhaul and assembly. In addition, there have been more instances of human errors during overhaul and assembly. It is good for the machine if overhaul is not necessary. It is even better if maintenance can be performed without stopping the mac