Effects of processing parameters on the micro-channels replication in microfluidic devices fabricated by micro injection molding

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 1791-1798 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Fu ◽  
S. B. Tor ◽  
D. E. Hardt ◽  
N. H. Loh
2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Rodgers ◽  
Meghan E. Casey ◽  
Sabrina S. Jedlicka ◽  
John P. Coulter

When molding macroscale polymer parts with a high density of microfeatures (>1 × 106/cm2), a concern that presents itself is the ability to achieve uniform replication across the entire domain. In the given study, micro-injection molding was used to manufacture microfeatured polymer substrates containing over 10 × 106 microfeatures per cm2. Polystyrene (PS) plates containing microtopography were molded using different processing parameters to study the effect of flow rate and mold temperature on replication quality and uniformity. Flow rate was found to significantly affect replication at mold temperatures above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PS while having no significant effect on filling at mold temperatures below Tg. Moreover, replication was dependent on distance from the main cavity entrance, with increased flow rate facilitating higher replication differentials and higher replication near the gate. Simulation of the molding process was used to corroborate experimental trials. A deeper understanding of polymer fluid behavior associated with micro-injection molding is vital to reliably manufacture parts containing consistent microtopography (Note: Values are expressed in average ± standard error).


2007 ◽  
Vol 364-366 ◽  
pp. 53-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yung Kang Shen ◽  
Yi Lin ◽  
Jeou Long Lee ◽  
Fwu Hsing Liu ◽  
Chih Wei Wu ◽  
...  

This research first indicates the melt front delay of wedge-shaped lightguiding plate of backlight module on micro injection molding. This research fabricated the patterns of mold insert of lightguiding plate by photo etching process. The micro-facture of lightguiding plate was manufactured by micro injection molding. The lightguiding plate of backlight module was used for the PMMA material. The single parameter method was used to discuss the flatness and replication properties for different processing parameters (mold temperature, melt temperature, packing pressure, packing time and injection pressure). The results show that there are melt front delays due to the slow injection velocity, the low temperature induced by the little effect of shear heating, the high viscosity, the large flow resistance and the slow flow velocity. The mold temperature is the most important factor for the flatness and the replication of micro-feature of liughtguiding plate. Lower mold temperature induces better flatness properties. The surface roughness of micro-facture of lightguiding plate is 8.8 nm on micro injection molding for this work.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 607
Author(s):  
Lucero M. Hernandez-Cedillo ◽  
Francisco G. Vázquez-Cuevas ◽  
Rafael Quintero-Torres ◽  
Jose L. Aragón ◽  
Miguel Angel Ocampo Mortera ◽  
...  

In this article, we show an alternative low-cost fabrication method to obtain poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic devices. The proposed method allows the inscription of micron resolution channels on polystyrene (PS) surfaces, used as a mold for the wanted microchip’s production, by applying a high absorption coating film on the PS surface to ablate it with a focused low-power visible laser. The method allows for obtaining micro-resolution channels at powers between 2 and 10 mW and can realize any two-dimensional polymeric devices. The effect of the main processing parameters on the channel’s geometry is presented.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong Ying Choi ◽  
Nan Zhang ◽  
J. P. Toner ◽  
G. Dunne ◽  
Michael D. Gilchrist

Vacuum venting is a method proposed to improve feature replication in microparts that are fabricated using micro-injection molding (MIM). A qualitative and quantitative study has been carried out to investigate the effect of vacuum venting on the nano/microfeature replication in MIM. Anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) containing nanofeatures and a bulk metallic glass (BMG) tool mold containing microfeatures were used as mold inserts. The effect of vacuum pressure at constant vacuum time, and of vacuum time at constant vacuum pressure on the replication of these features is investigated. It is found that vacuum venting qualitatively enhances the nanoscale feature definition as well as increases the area of feature replication. In the quantitative study, higher aspect ratio (AR) features can be replicated more effectively using vacuum venting. Increasing both vacuum pressure and vacuum time are found to improve the depth of replication, with the vacuum pressure having more influence. Feature orientation and final sample shape could affect the absolute depth of replication of a particular feature within the sample.


2010 ◽  
Vol 438 ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Mehner ◽  
Ju An Dong ◽  
Timo Hoja ◽  
Torsten Prenzel ◽  
Yildirim Mutlugünes ◽  
...  

The demand for high precision optical elements as micro lens arrays for displays increases continually. Economic mass production of such optical elements is done by replication with high precision optical molds. A new approach for manufacturing such molds was realized by diamond machinable and wear resistant sol-gel coatings. Crack free silica based hybrid coatings from base catalyzed sols from tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS: Si(OC2H5)4) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES: Si(CH3)(OC2H5)3) precursors were deposited onto pre-machined steel molds by spin coating process followed by a heat treatment at temperatures up to 800°C. Crack-free multilayer coatings with a total thickness of up to 18 µm were achieved. Micro-machining of these coatings was accomplished by high precision fly cutting with diamond tools. Molds with micro-structured coatings were successfully tested for injection molding of PMMA optical components. The wear resistance of the coatings was successfully tested by injection molding of 1000 PMMA lenses. Hardness and elastic modulus of the coatings were measured by nano indentation. The chemical composition was measured by X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS) as a function of the sol-gel processing parameters.


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