Patent Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for assembling cassette-loaded microcomponents ( 11,21,31 ), requiring only a small number of component-specific ejector tools and capable of being implemented more quickly. According to the inventive method, at least two cassettes ( 10,30 ) provided with component carriers are used, whereby each cassette has at least one type of component and the positions of the components are adapted to each other. At least one cassette ( 30 ) acts as a base plate cassette wherein the microcomponents ( 31 ) are arranged on a base plate acting as a component carrier. At least one joint assembly step is carried out, wherein two cassettes ( 10,30 ) are respectively placed opposite each other and all microcomponents ( 11,31 ) in the joined cassettes are simultaneously assembled to form sub-assemblies or component units. The component carriers of the cassettes are subsequently withdrawn. During assembly, the microcomponents can also be held in a rotationally secure position. The invention also relates to an assembly device for assembling cassette-loaded microcomponents.

Full Description:
DESCRIPTION  
         [0001]    The invention relates to a method for assembling cassette-loaded microcomponents in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 and an assembly device in accordance with the preamble of claim 15.  
           [0002]    The typical current procedure for cassette-loading microcomponents is to deliver the components on carrier and transport devices so that they can be picked up from the carrier for the assembly process by means of special gripping tools. The individual components are delivered at a defined spacing depending on their structural shape, e.g. on tapes that are adhesive on one side (blue tape), or they are fixed in the proper position by gel in gel packs (F+M Feinwerktechnik Mikrotechnik Mikroelektronic 105, 1997, 43-45). Other methods consist of placing the microcomponents in the correct position for gripping in chessboard-like indentations of rectangular tablets or in modularly constructed cassettes. (41st International Scientific Council of the Technical University [TU] of Ilmenau, Sep. 25, 1996). The ordering system allows for defined gripping or removal of these parts from the carrier.  
           [0003]    The drawback with these methods, however, is that frequently the ordering system of the production process is not used for the relative positioning and ordering of the parts. Instead the microcomponents are initially delivered in bulk and are then placed onto the aforementioned conveyors in the correct position ready for gripping, which is a time-consuming process. As a result, an intermediate step after the production process is required for cassette loading, the complexity of which is significant and comparable to the subsequent microassembly step.  
           [0004]    To simplify the handling of microcomponents, so called foil cassettes were developed, which are described in the German Laid Open Publication DE-OS 197 09 136. These are disk-shaped plates in which the microcomponents are integrated in such a way that they are enclosed along their lateral surfaces in a form-fitting manner. The disk-shaped plate, or the cassette material surrounding the microcomponents, thus forms the component carrier. These foil cassettes with microcomponents are produced by first forming elevations on a component base plate made of the same material by means of vacuum casting, injection molding, reaction molding, or hot stamping. Subsequently, the microcomponents are encapsulated by means of a molding material that solidifies. Thereafter, the microcomponent base plate and, where applicable, the molding material covering the microcomponents, is removed so that the end faces of the microcomponents are exposed.  
           [0005]    To assemble the microcomponents, the cassette is grasped and positioned such that the respective microcomponent to be mounted is at the intended location where it is e.g. connected with another microcomponent. To this end, the microcomponent must be pushed out of the foil cassette and pressed onto the existing microcomponent.  
           [0006]    For foil-cassette loaded components, various preparation steps are required prior to the actual assembly process as a function of the component geometry and the assembly task.  
           [0007]    In the case of ring-shaped or sleeve-shaped components, cassette cores must be removed. It is not possible to eject these cores during assembly by means of the structures of the mating component particularly if the mating component is made of plastic because its buckling strength is not sufficient. Due to the relatively large forces that must be applied to separate the component from the cassette, the cores must be removed by means of metal tools prior to the assembly process.  
           [0008]    The ejection of microcomponents from foil cassettes can in part require considerable forces. These forces are highest at the beginning of the ejection process, since the microcomponents must first be detached from the cassette material. Microroughnesses, which must be sheared off by the relative movement between component and cassette, are presumed to be the cause. At the same time, a stick/slip effect is observed, i.e. after static friction has been overcome during ejection, the lower sliding friction occurs.  
           [0009]    To reduce the ejection force during the assembly process, the microcomponents, which are removed from the cassette in assembly direction, are therefore first partially pushed out of the cassette in preparation of assembly.  
           [0010]    To eject the microcomponents from the cassette, component-specific tools (ejector pins) are required.  
           [0011]    The maximum cross-sectional area of the tool is determined by the size of the end face area of the microcomponent and the tolerance of the assembly machine. For instance, in the case of circular cross sections, the maximum tool diameter corresponds to the smallest diameter of the end face minus twice the positioning accuracy of the machine. The minimum length of the ejection tool is determined by the thickness of the foil cassette. With increasing height of a microcomponent, the adhesive forces to be overcome are consequently greater and the ejector pin must be longer, so that the buckling resistance of the tool is reduced. This sets a physical limit to the usability of foil cassette loading with respect to the realizable aspect ratio.  
           [0012]    The component geometry dictates the removal direction for the ejection of the microcomponent from the cassette, whereas the assembly task determines the assembly direction.  
           [0013]    Components that can be removed in assembly direction can be assembled directly from the cassette with the mating components. Components that can be assembled directly are cylindrical components and those whose thickness increases in assembly direction.  
           [0014]    In contrast, components that taper in assembly direction must first be removed from the foil cassette opposite to the assembly direction. To this end, the microcomponents must be fixed in a component-specific device, e.g. by applying a vacuum. This device serves for interim storage until the assembly mates receive the components or, in the case of basic components, until the subassembly is finished. The handling of such components is therefore substantially more complex than for components that can be removed in assembly direction.  
           [0015]    The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device for assembling cassette-loaded microcomponents, which will require fewer component-specific ejection tools and which can be performed faster.  
           [0016]    This object is attained by a method characterized in that at least two cassettes each provided with component carriers are used, each with at least one type of component and with mutually adjusted component positions. At least one of these cassettes is a base plate cassette in which the microcomponents are arranged on a base plate as a component carrier. At least one assembly step is performed in which two cassettes are arranged on opposite sides, respectively, and a plurality of microcomponents in the two cassettes in the cassette system is assembled simultaneously into subassemblies or component units. Subsequently, the component carriers of the cassettes are removed.  
           [0017]    The parallel assembly of the microcomponents in the cassette system from the cassettes makes it possible to produce a plurality of subassemblies in a shorter time. A time-consuming individual assembly of the microcomponents is eliminated. The microcomponents are already positioned with a defined degree of order within the cassette during the production process so that only the cassettes need to be mutually aligned. This makes it possible in a single process step simultaneously to align and mutually position a plurality of microcomponents that are to be assembled.  
           [0018]    The preferred production process for the base plate and the microcomponents is injection molding and/or hot stamping. Here, the microcomponents and the base plate can be made of the same material, and the base plate serves as the sprue plate. To produce the microcomponents and the base plate from different materials, a so-called two-component injection molding process is suitable in which, for instance, the microcomponents are injection molded first and a base plate is subsequently molded onto the microcomponents. The microcomponents may be connected over their entire surface or a partial surface.  
           [0019]    These base plate cassettes have the advantage that the microcomponents can first be connected with additional microcomponents and that the base plate can be removed mechanically at a subsequent point in time. The use of base plate cassettes eliminates the need for foil cassettes, which require double-sided mechanical processing and high ejection forces. Since the forces during the assembly can be applied to the entire base plate cassette and thus over a large surface, no component-specific ejection tools are required.  
           [0020]    Depending on the assembly task, base plate cassettes are used exclusively or base plate cassettes are combined with foil cassettes. It has been shown that with a decreasing number of foil cassettes the cost up to assembly can be substantially reduced.  
           [0021]    All assembly tasks, however, require at least one base plate cassette, which is preferably used as the basic cassette. This basic cassette is inserted into an assembly device and other microcomponents from other cassettes in the cassette system are successively mounted to the microcomponents located on the base plate. Thus, components of the basic cassette and microcomponents of an additional cassette are involved in each assembly step. This means that the basic cassette remains intact until the subassembly, which may be an intermediate product or a final product, i.e. a microcomponent unit such as a microgear unit, is completed. Only after completion of the assembly task is the base plate of the basic cassette mechanically removed.  
           [0022]    If foil cassettes are used it is advantageous to remove any component cores in a separate process step in order to reduce the assembly forces and to protect the corresponding assembly mates. The microcomponents of the foil cassette in the cassette system are preferably pressed onto the microcomponents of the opposite cassette and the component carrier of the foil cassette is subsequently detached from the microcomponents. It is also possible to use foil components that are produced in a two-component injection molding process, in which case the component carrier is produced with adhesive contact on parts of the lateral surfaces.  
           [0023]    If base plate cassettes are used, they are pushed together to assemble the microcomponents. Preferably, the assembled microcomponents are embedded in a fixation compound and the base plate of one of the two base plate cassettes is subsequently removed. Suitable fixation compounds are, for instance, compounds that can be dissolved chemically or thermally, e.g. wax. The base plate is preferably removed by milling, turning or grinding.  
           [0024]    Once the assembly process is thus completed, the base plate of the basic cassette is also removed and the fixation compound forms a subassembly cassette, preferably in the form of a foil cassette, which is used to transport the subassembly made of the two or more microcomponents.  
           [0025]    If the assembly process is to be continued, the fixation compound, but not the base plate of the basic cassette, is removed such that the subassemblies are exposed and can receive additional microcomponents, which are mounted in additional assembly steps from foil or base plate cassettes. The subassemblies or component units thus produced can all be embedded in a fixation compound, which in this case forms the subassembly cassette.  
           [0026]    In some component units, e.g. microgear units, it is crucial e.g. in automated assembly that at least a portion of the microcomponents is secured against rotation. This is important, for example, for gears that must be assembled with other gears in a further assembly step.  
           [0027]    Preferably, the microcomponents are secured by means of fixation structures located on the base plate of the basic cassette and/or by means of fixation structures of an assembly device.  
           [0028]    The microcomponents are preferably secured against rotation until the subassemblies, or the component units, or the subassembly cassette are completed.  
           [0029]    Microcomponents may also include optical fibers and the associated connectors. These optical fibers can be fixed at one end in a foil cassette and arranged in parallel to one another.  
           [0030]    The associated connectors or connector parts, which are disposed, for instance, on a base plate cassette, are provided with grooves along their top surface into which the optical fibers are inserted.  
           [0031]    The method according to the invention makes it possible to interconnect fibers and connectors by performing a single assembly step in which the fiber cassette is arranged opposite the connector cassette and a plurality of fibers and connectors in the cassette system are assembled into component units in the form of fiber/connector units.  
           [0032]    Subsequently, the component carriers of the two cassettes are removed.  
           [0033]    The assembly device according to the invention for assembling cassette-loaded microcomponents of a plurality of microcomponent types into subassemblies or component units, particularly microgear units, is characterized by a lower tool with an assembly plate, which is configured to receive a base plate cassette. Assembly pins that can be moved perpendicularly to the plate surface are arranged in this assembly plate. The assembly device further comprises a movable upper tool with fastening means for a base plate cassette or a foil cassette.  
           [0034]    Preferably, the assembly pins are provided with fixation structures at least in their free end area.  
           [0035]    The upper tool is preferably provided with ejector elements. This is important if the upper tool carries a foil cassette. 
       
    
    
       [0036]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings in which:  
         [0037]    FIGS.  1 - 7  illustrate the process steps for the preassembly of a microgear unit according to a first embodiment,  
         [0038]    FIGS.  8 - 15  illustrate the process steps for the preassembly of a microgear unit according to a second embodiment,  
         [0039]    FIGS.  16 - 21  illustrate the process steps for the final assembly of a preassembled microgear unit according to FIGS.  1 - 7  or  8 - 15 ,  
         [0040]    FIGS.  22 - 29  show the process steps until separation or cassette loading of the microgear units,  
         [0041]    FIGS.  30 - 32  show the process steps taking into account an anti-rotation device,  
         [0042]    FIGS.  33 - 36  show the process steps for the assembly of individual gear bushings taking into account an anti-rotation device according to a first embodiment, and  
         [0043]    FIGS.  37 - 40  show the process steps for the assembly of cassette-loaded gear bushings taking into account an anti-rotation device, and  
         [0044]    FIGS.  41 - 43  show the process steps for the assembly of fibers and connectors. 
     
    
       [0045]    [0045]FIG. 1 depicts a first and a second foil cassette  10 ,  20  and a first base plate cassette  30 . Each cassette is provided with one type of microcomponents. The first foil cassette  10  contains microcomponents  11  of a first type in the form of upper web parts. The second foil cassette  20  contains microcomponents  21  of a second type in the form of planetary gears, and the base plate cassette  30  comprises a base plate as a component carrier with positioning holes  32  and microcomponents  31  of a third type in the form of lower web parts.  
         [0046]    These three cassettes,  10 ,  20  and  30  are combined with one another in the following assembly processes such that after assembly the microcomponents form a planetary gear unit.  
         [0047]    First, however, component cores  22  located in gears  21  are removed (see FIG. 2). For this purpose a perforated plate  70  is provided with openings  71  through which the component cores  22  are pushed by means of an ejector pin  72 . It is also possible to provide a combined tool with a plurality of ejector pins  72 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 3 shows the lower part  80  of an assembly device with a base plate  81  and assembly pins  82  arranged thereon. Furthermore, an assembly plate  83  is provided on which the first base plate cassette  30 , which assumes the function of the basic cassette, is arranged. Assembly plate  83  can be arranged so as to be movable in vertical direction relative to assembly pins  82 . It is also possible, however, to make assembly plate  83  fixed and the base plate with assembly pins  82  displaceable in vertical direction. The assembly pins  82  engage in the positioning holes  32  of the first base plate cassette  30 .  
         [0049]    As shown in FIG. 4, the second foil cassette  20  is lowered from the top by means of upper part  90  of the assembly device. Upper part  90  comprises a base plate  91  and bottom-side ejector elements  92 , which engage and hold gears  21 . The dimensions of the ejector elements are adapted to the size of gears  21 . Foil cassette  20  is positioned above the first base plate cassette  30  in such a way that gears  21  are located above the associated shafts of lower web parts  31 .  
         [0050]    Subsequently, the upper part  90  is lowered as depicted in FIG. 5, such that gears  21  located in the cassette system are pushed onto shafts  35  of lower web parts  31 .  
         [0051]    After this assembly process has been completed, assembly pins  82  are pushed upwardly as shown in FIG. 6, which causes the component carrier of foil cassette  20  to be separated from gears  21 . By means of base plate  91 , the component carrier of foil cassette  20 , which is released from gears  21 , is removed as shown in FIG. 7. These preassembled subassemblies, comprising lower web parts  31  and planetary gears  21  are completed according to the process steps illustrated in FIGS.  16 - 21  to form a web subassembly of a planetary gear unit and according to FIGS.  33 - 36  and FIGS.  37 - 40  to form a planetary gear unit.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 8 shows cassettes  10 ,  30 ,  40  according to a further embodiment. The upper web parts  11  are again arranged in a first foil cassette  10  and the lower web parts in a first base plate cassette  30 . In contrast to FIG. 1, microcomponents  21 , i.e. gears  21 , are arranged on a second base plate cassette  40 . The use of two base plate cassettes and one foil cassette subsequently calls for different assembly steps.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 9 shows how the first base plate cassette  30  is positioned on assembly plate  83  of the bottom part of assembly machine  80 . Two assembly pins  85  are arranged in base plate  81 . In the embodiment shown these assembly pins clearly protrude upwardly relative to the first base plate cassette  30 .  
         [0054]    The second base plate cassette  40 —as shown in FIG. 10—is lowered from the top with microcomponents  21  pointing in downward direction. Positioning pins  85  also position the second base plate cassette  40 .  
         [0055]    The second base plate cassette  40  is subsequently pressed onto the first base plate cassette  30 —as shown in FIG. 11—which causes the gears  21  to be pushed onto the shafts  35  of the lower web parts  31 .  
         [0056]    Thereafter, base plate  81  with assembly pins  85  is lowered in downward direction such that base plate cassettes  30  and  40  are released from assembly pins  85  (see FIG. 12).  
         [0057]    In a further step, which is shown in FIG. 13, the two cassettes  30  and  40  are embedded in a fixation compound  100 . This embedding is required so that base plate  40  of the base plate cassette can be removed in a further step, as illustrated in FIG. 14. This is done mechanically by means of a milling unit  95 . Subsequently, a fixation plate  96  is added as indicated in FIG. 15.  
         [0058]    After these preassembly steps have been completed, the final assembly takes place, i.e. the assembly of the upper web parts  11 , which are still located in the first foil cassette  10 . Based on FIG. 6 or based on FIG. 15 and the removal of fixation compound  100 , the arrangement depicted in FIG. 16 is obtained, comprising base plate cassette  30  with lower web parts  31  and the previously assembled gears  21 .  
         [0059]    Base plate cassette  30  is positioned according to FIG. 17 in the lower part  80  of the assembly device on assembly plate  83  and is fixed by means of assembly pins  82 . The first foil cassette  10  is lowered from above by means of upper part  90  of the assembly device, and is positioned over base plate cassette  30 . This upper part  90  comprises a base plate  93  with ejector elements  94  arranged on the bottom side.  
         [0060]    Foil cassette  10  is lowered far enough until it rests on assembly pins  82  (see FIG. 18). Subsequently, base plate  93  is lowered further, such that ejector elements  94  partially detach the upper web parts  11  located in the cassette system from the component carrier of foil cassette  10 . As shown in FIG. 19, microcomponents  11 , which are still located in the cassette system, are lowered together with foil cassette  20  until the microcomponents are completely assembled. This process is illustrated in FIGS.  18 - 20 .  
         [0061]    After the upper web parts  11  have been mounted, the component carrier of foil cassette  10  is pushed upwardly by means of assembly pins  82  and is detached from the upper web parts  11  and removed by means of upper part  90  of the assembly device (see FIG. 20). At the same time, assembly pins  82  are moved downwardly far enough so that they still fix base plate cassette  30  (FIG. 21).  
         [0062]    In FIG. 22, the upper web part  11  and the lower web part  31  are connected, e.g. by welding, to complete component units  51 , i.e. the microgear units. Thereafter, base plate cassette  30  is removed from assembly plate  83  (see FIG. 23).  
         [0063]    The advantages of the two assembly concepts will now be compared. Assembly concept I is illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 7  and FIGS.  16 - 21  whereas assembly concept II is shown in FIGS.  8 - 15  and FIGS.  16 - 21 .  
         [0064]    In assembly concept I (Table 1) only the planetary gears and the upper web parts are fixed in foil cassettes, whereas the lower web parts are used in the form of base plate cassettes. The lower web parts no longer need to be ejected from a foil cassette and intermediately stored prior to assembly, so that no receiving device is required. In addition, with the reduced number of foil cassettes, the number of part-specific ejection tool sets is reduced to two.  
         [0065]    Only the planetary gear cores must be removed prior to assembly. After the two assembly steps, executed one directly after the other, and the welding step, the sprue plate of the lower web parts is removed by the process steps “embedding in wax (fixation compound),” “mechanical processing,” and “cleaning. ” 
         [0066]    Consequently, one of the five surfaces is processed only after assembly, i.e. the strict sequence “first mechanical processing, then assembly” no longer applies. It is advantageous that only five surfaces have to be mechanically processed.  
         [0067]    In assembly concept II (Table 2) only the upper web parts are fixed in the foil cassettes. This reduces the number of surfaces to be mechanically processed to a total of four, so that the time for mechanical processing is further reduced. After assembly of the planetary gears with the lower web parts, this system is embedded, for instance, in wax, the sprue plate or base plate of the planetary gears is mechanically removed, and the fixation compound is removed (“cleaning”). During subsequent assembly of the upper web parts, these parts are pushed out of the foil cassette. Only a single set of ejection tools is required for this purpose. After the second assembly step, welding is performed and the base plate of the lower web parts is finally removed. Embedding in wax and mechanical removal of the sprue plate is thus performed between and after the two assembly steps.  
         [0068]    FIGS.  24 - 29  show the process steps up to the point where the component units  51  are separated.  
         [0069]    As shown in FIG. 24, base plate cassette  30  is rotated, so that subassemblies  51  point in downward direction. They are inserted in insertion opening  52  of a subassembly holder  53 . Subsequently—as shown in FIG. 25—both base plate cassette  30  and subassemblies  51  are embedded by means of fixation compound  100 . This step is required in order to remove the base plate of cassette  30  by means of a milling unit  95  in a further step, which is depicted in FIG. 26. Fixation compound  100  can now serve as the subassembly cassette  50  as shown in FIG. 27. It is also possible, however, subsequently to remove fixation compound  100  and to remove subassemblies  51  by means of ejector pins  87  from subassembly holder  53  (see FIG. 29).  
         [0070]    A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 30 in which gears  21  are secured against rotation. FIG. 30 is comparable to FIG. 25 except that base plate cassette  30  is additionally provided with fixation pins  33 , which are located between subassemblies  51  and have a star shaped contour, such that they can engage in planetary gears  21  and thus secure them against rotation. These fixation pins  33  can be inserts or they can be molded when the base plate cassette and the lower web parts  31  are produced. Base plate  81  is also provided with fixation pins  88 , which are likewise star-shaped so that they can engage with gears  21  at their free end  89  to support the anti-rotation securing device.  
         [0071]    In the process step shown in FIG. 31, after embedding in fixation compound  100 , the base plate of cassette  30  is removed by means of a milling unit  95 . During this process the remnants of fixation pins  33  fall out of the fixation compound  100  or can be removed by pushing fixation pins  88  upwardly. In a further step, which is depicted in FIG. 32, the fixation compound  100  is removed and base plate  81  with fixation pins  88  and subassemblies  51  arranged thereon thus form an additional cassette, i.e. subassembly cassette  50 ′.  
         [0072]    FIGS.  33 - 36  depict a further embodiment in which bushings  61  provided with internal gears  62  are subsequently mounted on subassemblies  51 . FIG. 33 corresponds to FIG. 21 except that fixation pins  88  are provided with fixation structures at their free ends  89  and engage with the teeth of gears  21  and thus secure the gears against rotation. This makes it possible to fix gears  21  in a predefined position such that bushings  61  can be mounted without problems in a further process step shown in FIG. 34. To this end, pins  88  do not cover the full width of gears  21 , such that bushings  61  can be mounted from the top and fixation pins  88  can be lowered. After the assembly of bushings  61  has been completed, a fixation compound  100  is used for embedding, making it possible to remove the base plate of cassette  30  by milling unit  95 , as shown in the step of FIG. 36. Fixation compound  100  thus forms an additional foil cassette, i.e. subassembly cassette  50 ″.  
         [0073]    FIGS.  37 - 40  show a further embodiment in which bushings  61  are arranged on a cassette  60  and cassette  30  is provided with fixation pins  33 , which hold planetary gears  21  in a predefined position. FIG. 38 illustrates the assembly of bushings  61 , which corresponds to the process depicted in FIG. 34. FIG. 39 illustrates the embedding in fixation compound  100  and milling of the base plate of cassette  30 , for which the entire system was rotated, so that now the component carrier of cassette  60  is located below. If additional assembly steps follow, fixation compound  100  is removed and cassette  60  forms the basic cassette for the subsequent steps.  
         [0074]    The remaining parts  34  of fixation pins  33  are located in fixation compound  100 , which forms the subassembly cassette  50 ″.  
         [0075]    FIGS.  41 - 43  depict the assembly of optical fibers  12  with connector parts  36 .  
         [0076]    The microcomponents of a first type  11  in the form of fibers  12  are arranged with their end segments parallel to one another in a first foil cassette  10 . The cassette sections between fibers  12  are referred to as webs  23 .  
         [0077]    Microcomponents  31  comprise connector parts  36 , which are arranged in a base plate cassette  30 . The topside of connector parts  36  is provided with grooves  37  into which fibers  12  are inserted. Base plate cassette  30  is provided with positioning and assembly holes  32 .  
         [0078]    As shown in FIG. 42, foil cassette  10  with fibers  12  is lowered onto base plate cassette  30 . Since the distance between fibers  12  in cassette  10  corresponds to the distance between grooves  37 , the fibers are positioned above grooves  37 . The webs are thinner than the diameter of the fibers, so that the fibers fit inside grooves  37 . Upper part  90  of the assembly device, which is provided with ejector elements  92  on its bottom side, is lowered from the top. These ejector elements are positioned at the points where the fibers are arranged in foil cassette  10 . The distance between the ejector elements  92  corresponds to the distance between the fibers  12 , which are arranged parallel to one another.  
         [0079]    In the next step, which is depicted in FIG. 43, the lower part  80  of the assembly device, which is provided with a plurality of assembly pins  82 , is approached from below. These assembly pins  82  are guided through positioning holes  32 . The connector parts  36  are also provided with assembly holes  38 , such that assembly pins  82  can engage with webs  23  of cassette  10  from below. Because the fibers are held in grooves  37  by means of ejector elements  92 , webs  23  can be pushed in upward direction and thus be removed.  
         [0080]    It is also possible to arrange these positioning holes  32  in base plate cassette  30  in front of or behind connector elements  36 , such that corresponding assembly holes  38  in connector parts  36  can be eliminated. This is possible if foil cassette  10  protrudes also in longitudinal direction of fibers  12  relative to connector parts  36 .  
         [0081]    After assembly of the fibers in grooves  37  and after removal of webs  23  of foil cassette  10 , base plate cassette  30  is removed according the process described above.  
                                                                             TABLE 1                           Assembly Concept I            First Modification   N   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13               Vacuum casting   2   X   X                                                   Embedding in wax   1                                           X       Mechanical processing   5           X   X   X   X                       X       Cleaning   1                                                   X       Preparation of assembly   1                           X       Assembly   2                               X   X       Welding   1                                       X                  
 
         [0082]    [0082]                                                                         TABLE 2                           Assembly Concept II            First Modification   N   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12               Vacuum casting   1   X                                                   Embedding in wax   2                   X                   X       Mechanical processing   4       X   X           X                   X       Cleaning   2                           X                   X       Preparation of assembly   0       Assembly   2               X               X       Welding   1                                   X                    
       REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       [0083]    [0083] 10  first foil cassette  
         [0084]    [0084] 11  microcomponent of first type  
         [0085]    [0085] 12  milling unit  
         [0086]    [0086] 20  second foil cassette  
         [0087]    [0087] 21  microcomponent of second type  
         [0088]    [0088] 22  component core  
         [0089]    [0089] 23  web  
         [0090]    [0090] 30  first base plate cassette  
         [0091]    [0091] 31  microcomponent of third type  
         [0092]    [0092] 32  positioning hole  
         [0093]    [0093] 33  fixation pin  
         [0094]    [0094] 34  fixation pin remnant  
         [0095]    [0095] 35  shaft  
         [0096]    [0096] 36  connector  
         [0097]    [0097] 37  fiber groove  
         [0098]    [0098] 38  assembly hole  
         [0099]    [0099] 40  second base plate cassette  
         [0100]    [0100] 50  subassembly cassette  
         [0101]    [0101] 50 ′ subassembly cassette  
         [0102]    [0102] 50 ″ subassembly cassette  
         [0103]    [0103] 51  subassembly  
         [0104]    [0104] 52  insertion opening  
         [0105]    [0105] 53  subassembly holder  
         [0106]    [0106] 60  bushing cassette  
         [0107]    [0107] 61  bushing  
         [0108]    [0108] 62  internal gear  
         [0109]    [0109] 70  perforated plate  
         [0110]    [0110] 71  opening  
         [0111]    [0111] 72  ejector pin  
         [0112]    [0112] 80  assembly device/lower part  
         [0113]    [0113] 81  base plate  
         [0114]    [0114] 82  assembly pin  
         [0115]    [0115] 83  assembly plate  
         [0116]    [0116] 84  hole  
         [0117]    [0117] 85  assembly pin  
         [0118]    [0118] 86  spacer  
         [0119]    [0119] 87  ejector pin  
         [0120]    [0120] 88  fixation pin  
         [0121]    [0121] 89  star shaped end  
         [0122]    [0122] 90  assembly device/upper part  
         [0123]    [0123] 91  base plate  
         [0124]    [0124] 92  ejector element  
         [0125]    [0125] 93  cassette holder  
         [0126]    [0126] 94  die  
         [0127]    [0127] 95  milling unit  
         [0128]    [0128] 96  fixation plate  
         [0129]    [0129] 97  welding device  
         [0130]    [0130] 100  fixation compound

Technology Classification (CPC): 1