Miniaturization is a trend in mechanical engineering, in which 3D mechanical structures are required. Consequences are changed production and design processes. Furthermore micro-specific design requires in-depth knowledge of production technology. One successful means for ensuring the consideration of these restrictions are design rules. However, many aspects of design relevant knowledge are not restrictive and cannot be represented by design rules. The authors propose the application of design patterns, which represent problem-and solution-oriented knowledge. A pattern describes the abstract solution for a frequently occurring problem in a specific context. This approach was first introduced to architecture and then adapted to software engineering. Also first moves were made to use pattern languages in engineering design. The authors propose design patterns to represent design knowledge for microsystem technologies. As methodological means of support, a pattern lifecycle activity model and subordinate methods are presented.

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The production of moulded micro components including design, manufacture and quality control is a highly integrated process. A lot of experts, machines, tools, etc. should be deployed meaningfully along this process. The process chain was never written down in detail or as a whole so that new products could be developed on this basis. All developments hitherto have been carried out partly intuitive and partly based on area-specific sub process chains. For an efficient and effective planning and controlling and user support during future tool-based micro product engineering processes, the authors propose a corresponding reference process model. For this purpose, implicit process knowledge must be retrieved from expert's minds to consider area-specific sub-process chains. For implementation of the reference process model, the Integrated Product Engineering Model (iPeM) will be used.

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