Microdevice manufacturing: a collaborative journey (Conference Presentation)

In this whitepaper, a production chain demonstrating the cost-effective manufacturing process for microfluidics components is presented. This process was made possible through the collaboration of two Swiss companies, FEMTOPrint and 3D AG, along with FHNW Unversity of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland. <br/> <br/> A selective glass etching process was employed for mastering the microfluidics features (FEMTOPrint). Subsequently, it was secured in the nickel shim family through an electroforming process and the nickel shim was then turned into a tool for injection moulding (3D AG). <br/> <br/> This tool was successfully employed in various injection moulding techniques resulting in a few thousands polymer parts with microfluidic features (FHNW). The features were moulded in PMMA, COC, COP, and analyzed by confocal microscopy revealing high structural fidelity over the entire process chain.