Injection moulding simulation of a microreactor baseplate

摘要

Within the past two decades, microreactor technology has evolved from a highly advanced toy for chemical engineers to a versatile tool for chemical synthesis. MST technologies, such as photolithography and etching, are mostly used for prototyping of such microstructured devices whereas mass production is viable only through microtools utilized by micro replication technologies, such as microinjection moulding or hot embossing. In this paper, a suitable technology for tool insert for microreactor baseplate manufacturing is selected and injection moulding simulation of microreactor baseplate is performed. Mesh generation is described, two approaches of gate description in simulation software are discussed as well as mould tempering description in simulation software. Three materials were examined from the injection moulding point of view, namely polystyrene (PS), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK). Finally, the microreactor baseplate was produced by injection moulding of PS.