Abstract
In this paper, several micromechanical manufacturing technologies were studied in order to characterize their performance for prototyping miniaturized geometries known as microchannels, which are the main geometric features of microfluidic devices. The technologies used were microend milling, wire electrodischarge machining/sandblasting, and abrasive water jet. Their capabilities were compared with lithography capabilities, which is the conventional process for microchannel manufacturing. The evaluation consists in a comprehensive study of surface quality and topography, made with the help of advanced contact and noncontact profilometers over each prototype. Also economical considerations have been taken into account in order to choose the most appropriate manufacturing process for the prototyping of microfluidic devices. The results show that microend milling process can compete with lithography, in terms of achieving acceptable levels of product quality and economics.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kandlikar G, Steinke M (2003) Predicting heat transfer during flow boiling in mini-channels and micro-channels. ASHRAE Trans 109:CH-03-13-1
Hosokawa K, Hanada K, Maeda R (2002) A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) deformable diffraction grating for monitoring of local pressure in micro-fluidics devices. J Micromechanics Microengineering 12:1–6
Jáuregui AL, Rodríguez CA, Rivera-Solorio C, Elías A, Siller HR (2008) Fabricación y prototipado de canales para sistemas micro-fluídicos del sector salud. Memorias del XIV Congreso Anual Internacional de la Sociedad Mexicana de Ingeniería Mecánica (In Spanish)
EPIGEM chips (2008) available online at http://www.epigem.co.uk/products-fluidics.htm (accesed 07/2008)
Mainsah E, Greenwood J, Chetwynd D (2001) Metrology properties of engineering surfaces. Kluwer Academic Publishing Group, Boston
Montgomery D, Altintas Y (1991) Mechanism of cutting forces and surface generation in dynamic milling. J Eng Ind-T ASME 113:160–168
Siller HR, Vila C, Rodriguez CA, Abellan JV (2009) Study of face milling of hardened AISI D3 steel with a special design of carbide tools. Intl J Adv Manuf Technol 40:12–25
Bubendorfer A, Lui X, Ellis A (2007) Microfabrication of PDMS micro-channels using SU-8/PMMA moldings and their sealing to polystyrene substrates. Smart Mater Struct 16:367–371
Loke Y, Tor S, Chun J, Loh N, Hardt D (2007) Micro-injection molding of cyclic olefin copolymer using metallic glass insert. Manufacturing Systems and Technology (MST) Collection at MIT online DSPACE. Available at http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/35813?show=full.
Swierkowski S, Balch J, Brewer L, Copeland A, Davidson J, Fitch P, Kimbrough J, Madabhushi R, Pastrone R, Richardson P, Tarte L (1999) Large micro-channel array fabrication and results for DNA sequencing. Proc SPIE 3606. doi:10.1117/12.350050
Hakamada M, Asao Y, Saito N, Mabuchi M (2008) Micro-fluidic flows in metallic micro-channels fabricated by the spacer method. J Micromechanics Microengineering 18:075029
Jáuregui AL, Siller HR, Rodriguez CA, Elias A (2008) Evaluation of Micro-mechanical manufacturing processes for micro-fluidic devices. Master of Science Thesis. Tecnológico de Monterrey
Dornfeld D, Lee D (2008) Precision Manufacturing. Springer Science, New York
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jáuregui, A.L., Siller, H.R., Rodríguez, C.A. et al. Evaluation of micromechanical manufacturing processes for microfluidic devices. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 48, 963–972 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-009-2326-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-009-2326-y