Abstract

Advanced Finishing Techniques in Fabricating Precision Mold Insert for Injection Molding of Microfluidics Parts

Guo Jiang, Scientist, Manufacturing Process Division, Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech)

Microfluidics has a wide application ranging from ink-jet printing to lab-on-chip in biomedical research and diagnostics chemical processing and etc.. For many disposable applications, injection molding process is adopted for mass production of microfluidics chips. Considering design flexibility, productivity and economical cost, precision machining technologies such as cutting and milling are employed for microstructure size in tens to hundreds of micrometers. However, in some cases, due to the low surface quality attributed to defects such as burrs and tool marks around the microstructures caused by machining processes, post-polishing process is necessary to improve surface finish. This presentation will introduce some mold insert finishing techniques currently conducted at SIMTech for injection molding of microfluidics parts. It covers the necessary scope including finishing techniques introduction, material removal modelling and analysis, experiments and results. Besides, the profile and surface quality of the microstructures on mold insert before and after finishing will be compared with some discussions.