Abstract

Injection Moulding Rapid Prototyping of Microfluidic Structures

Markus Ebster, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, z-microsystems

A unique collaboration for rapid prototyping injection molded microfluidic devices.

z-microsystems is located in Austria and Canada specializing in micro-injection moldmaking and injection molding of microfluidic devices with over 15 years experience in the industry. Their unique core competence is how to help design a microfluidic device that is injection moldable, prototype it, manufacture the micro-injection molds in-house, transition into a pre-production/pilot phase before taking the process into full mass production under stringent clean room conditions.
Following several years of study and establishing a strong relationship with the University of Toronto, they identified the need to replace PDMS chip manufacture with a faster, better quality, more repeatable and cost effective method, to rapid prototype new microfluidic device designs. Collaborating with the university, z-microsystems Canadian office was eligible for federal funding and started a unique development project in November 2015. The development combines the universities know-how in their Centre for Microfluidics Systems with z-microsystems injection molding experience, to deliver a viable and value-added alternative to rapid prototype new microfluidic devices.

One year on since we presented this at Ontario on a Chip 2016, z-microsystems and U of T have further results & samples to present at this years conference. A commercial program is being developed enabling university and industry labs to use injection molding as a process from rapid prototyping thru to mass production for microfluidic devices.