This paper proposes a classification scheme for the quantified analysis of micro‐grip principles. Micro‐part gripping has received quite some attention in micro‐assembly research. However, there is a lack of quantified data on the characteristics and applicability of micro‐grip principles. The micro‐grip principle is the physical principle that produces the necessary forces to get and maintain a part in a position with respect to the gripper. The classification scheme defines criteria that are essential in the evaluation and selection of a micro‐grip principle for gripping a given part. The criteria are defined on the basis of characteristics of the parts to be gripped, demands on the grip operation to be performed and characteristics of the environment in which the grip operation takes place. The classification scheme is evaluated using examples from literature.

A simple and inexpensive corrosion sensor was manufactured to study the corrosion rate of new and water-contaminated lubricating grease using a galvanic cell. A galvanic charge was developed between electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) and zinc, manufactured by selectively plating on a custom manufactured interdigitated printed circuit board. This article shows the methodology in using this concept for any application that may require quantifying the corrosivity of a liquid or semisolid that could be applied to the surface of the sensor. Water contamination is a problem in many grease-lubricated machine components, so a sensor concept was developed and a correlation between water content and the corrosion rate is shown. This method could be used to precisely study the corrosion rate of aged or contaminated lubricants and could potentially be used as a cheap and simple way to estimate water contamination in grease. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this sensor concept has not been used in industry or the literature.

Measuring water content in hydrocarbons can be done a number of different ways, but few of them apply well to grease samples. This month's Editor's Choice paper investigates the use of three different dielectric cells (parallel plate, coaxial and interdigitated fringe) to estimate water content in greases. The results are very promising using calcium sulfonate complex greases, with further work required to determine suitability with different thickener technologies that are less hydrophilic, and different additive technologies. Should the technology work well on other greases, the technology could be considered for online monitoring.

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