Methods for producing polymeric parts with microgeometries – Tool and Process technology

摘要

With an ever-increasing focus on μTAS (microTotalAnalysisSystems) and Lab-on-a-chip technologies, the need for cheap and reliable fluidic systems is becoming more and more evident. In comparison with silicon and glass technology, the use of polymer technology for this purpose will result in very large cost reductions. The presentation will focus on presenting a solution for rapid prototyping of such systems. Three new technologies for tool fabrication and related process technologies will be presented (patent pending): · Polymeric tools for hot embossing of microstructured parts · Surface treated polymeric tools for hot embossing and injection moulding · Metal tools for injection moulding and hot embossing of microstructured parts Processing (hot embossing and injection moulding) of parts with the different types of tools will be presented as well as quality control of the produced polymeric prototypes with surface structures ranging from 10 μm to several hundred μm.