Nanoscale connection method

Simple non-bonded contact

At the nanoscale it is possible and highly useful to holding things together by making use of the Van der Waals force.

E.g. there is no need to retain axles from slipping out a drive-chain (or hold axles in a drive-chain with friction). Freely frictionlessly sliding axles are "sucked in" energetically. Phenomenologically the VdW force is similar to the surface tension between liquids and solids when it acts attractively. The more surface is exposed and not in contact with other surface the higher the energy and the more undesirable the state. Just that in the case of gemstone based nanomachinery all surfaces are solid state.

Combinded with the insignificance of gravity at the nanoscale. This can greatly simplify designs for assembly.

And this is a factor that makes prototyping of nanoscale robotics at the macroscale such that there is minimal stuff that would be unnecessary at the nanoscale especially difficult.

Form closure

Interlocking stuff.

Main article: Form closure

Seamless covalent welding

This is irreversible.

Main article: Seamless covalent welding