VISION Online

This Website—known as a virtual institute—is “committed to promotion and training in the precision engineering and nanotechnologies,” and its operated by Euspen, the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology. The society is described as “an influential network linking industrialists, researchers, respected authorities, new and established players across more than 30 countries worldwide.” Elsewhere it lists members from 32 countries. Founded in 1999, operating as a limited company from Britain, and incorporated as a charity, its mission is to “advance the arts, sciences and technology of precision engineering, microengineering and nanotechnology; promote its dissemination through education and training; and facilitate its exploitation by science and industry.”

It has 12 directors, currently drawn from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and also an international representative, currently from the United States. Since its inception, its presidents have been Manfred Weck (1999–2000, from Germany), Pat McKeown (2000–01, from the United Kingdom); Kim Carneiro (2001–03, from Denmark); Paul Atherton (2003–05, from the United Kingdom); Ekkard Briskmeier (2005–07, from Germany), Hendrik van Brussel (2007–09, from Belgium) and Dr. Henry Spaan of IBS Precision Engineering (2009–11, from the Netherlands).

VISION Online is involved in publishing peer-reviewed papers relating to precision engineering with a heavy emphasis on nanotechnology, and by August 2009, it had published more than 2,500 technical papers that are available to members online. Many of these papers are on the difficulties and also the advantages gained from nanoprecision manufacturing, and the possible use of many of these products, as well as the environmental issues that arise from a manufacturer's perspective. While some of the members and contributors are affiliated to universities or other tertiary institutions in the European Union, most are practitioners from industry. Because of the importance of this work, the Website is supported by many high-profile sponsors such as Aerotech, Agilent Technologies, ASML, ASPE, Bosch, Cranfield Precision, Heidenhain, IBS Precision Engineering, Japan Society for Precision Engineering, Kugler Precision, Lion Precision, Moore Tools, Precitech, and Renishaw.

Operating from Cranfield University Campus, in Bedfordshire, England, membership of the European Society for Precision Engineering which operates VISION Online allows the member to access the online database of scholarly articles, and also network with some 3,000 individuals and organizations who are also members, providing an opportunity to access up [Page 791]to date information on a variety of fields, and discuss these with so many other people working in the same field. Membership is open to both individuals (including students free of charge), and for corporate members—the fees for the latter dependant on the number of employees.