Challenges to a micromanufacturing industry in Ireland Online publication date: Mon, 16-Jul-2007
by Andrew M. Bates, Donal Hughes, Martin Hussey, Patrick T. Connolly
International Journal of Nanomanufacturing (IJNM), Vol. 1, No. 4, 2007
Abstract: Micromanufacturing is a manufacturing technology platform, inspired by a global pursuit to produce miniaturised products and parts or products and features. This industrial sector is an area of rapid growth with high market share forecast for the future, however, at the moment very few Irish companies are creating microparts or working with microtechnology manufacturing methods. Despite this, many see micromanufacturing as having significant potential for high added-value products that can offset the loss of many traditional areas of manufacturing to other low-cost locations. Confidential interviews were carried out with 19 companies located in Ireland, selected from an industry network for micromanufacturing. The challenges companies faced in implementing microtechnology were discussed across the full range of areas necessary to bring a product to market. The results provide a summary of the various challenges faced by an industry trying to move towards high technology manufacturing methods.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Nanomanufacturing (IJNM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook