IEEE Robotics and Automation Society
                     Central New England Chapter

                        Tuesday, May 13, 2003
                     Informal Discussion: 6:00 PM
                           Program: 6:30 PM
                                  at
                        Wellesley High School


       Automation in the Handling and Packaging of MEMS Devices

                      Dr. Faycal Benayad-Cherif
                    Intelligent Automation Systems

                         ABSTRACT

This talk describes how automation is used to resolve the
handling, the packaging, and the testing of MEMS and
MEMS-based products.

By eliminating human handling, automation minimizes damages
and provides speed, accuracy, and consistency that result in
higher quality products manufactured at a lower cost with a
higher yield.

Packaging and testing of MEMS devices are typically the
areas that benefit most from automation. Integrating
automation can be even more effective when designed into the
packaging process. Very frequently such processes are key to
shorter development phases and lower development and
packaging costs. Such processes are even more cost-effective
when flexible automation is designed in. Flexible automation
can be achieved at different levels by developing equipment
that is versatile enough to accomplish several steps of an
assembly processes and by providing the ability to
manufacture different products on the same line. These
approaches provide the flexibility needed for frequent
changeovers required during small-batch runs while still
handling production needs.

Packaging optical MEMS faces, not only challenges similar to
the packaging of semiconductor components but also
requirements inherent to accurately couple onto active and
passive optically devices. These approaches rely on robotics
and micro- and nano-technology combined with image
processing at a sub-micron level.

These challenges have been addressed through the use of new
technologies that are unique to the photonics industry, such
as the use of high-frequency-response and high-accuracy
commercial six-axis piezo-stages or commercial linear stages
capable of achieving a few nanometers of resolution.

This presentation will describe the application of these
technologies to the manufacturing and the characterization
of various photonic components and solutions, such as MEMS
and semiconductor lasers.


                     SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Faycal Benayad-Cherif was Manager of Electro-Optics at
Nortek Networks, where he developed robotic instrumentation
for handling, inspecting, and testing MEMS optical devices.
Prior to joining Nortel Network, Dr. Benayad-Cherif was the
principal software and hardware manager for the 4Dimensional
Imager, a high-speed 3D imaging system. Dr. Benayad-Cherif
has received his B.S. in Physics from the University of
Algiers and his M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Ph.D. in
Engineering Design from Tufts University. Prior to joining
Intelligent Automation Systems, Inc., he was a senior
engineer at Denning Mobile Robotics, where he developed key
systems and algorithms for their robotic platforms,
including the development of IR and laser navigation
systems. Dr. Benayad-Cherif is the author of several patents
in the fields of robotics, sensor fusion, and laser based 3D
imaging.


                    MEETING INFORMATION

The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society will meet on
Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at Wellesley High School at 6:00 PM
for informal discussions and for the formal presentation
between 6:30 and 7:30 PM. The group will have a no-host
dinner afterwards at Bertucci's, where more conversations
can take place with the guest speaker. The meetings are open
to the general public, and all are welcome at the dinner
afterwards.

For more information contact Rich Maynard at 978-439-5511
ext 6221 or at his chapter email address:

        chair@robotics-boston.org


                         DIRECTIONS

From Route 128, take either Route 9 or Route 16 west. From
the junction of Routes 9 and 16, follow Route 16 (Washington
Street) west past the Wellesley Hills commuter rail station
(within walking distance of the school), then turn left onto
Rice Street. Wellesley High School is on the left. Parking
is available in a lot just beyond the school.

For a web map showing the location of Wellesley High School,
go to the Yahoo map site at http://maps.yahoo.com/ and enter
the following information in the indicated locations:

    Address:            50 Rice St
    City, State or ZIP: Wellesley, MA

The star marker is misplaced slightly to the south. Imagine
it about 1 cm toward the top of the map at Rice St.

For more information about our Section and Chapter, visit
our web site at our registered domain URL

             http://www.robotics-boston.org/