Origins of the Process-Parameter Effects in Fabricating Polymer Micromixers Using Microinjection Molding

Abstract

Based on our previous work, the present work intends to reveal the origin of the process-parameter effects in fabricating polymer micromixers using microinjection molding. First of all, the effects of the process variables including the melt temperature, injection velocity, packing pressure and packing time, on replication quality of the micromixers were numerically investigated using Moldex3D software. The simulation results were found to agree well with the reported experimental ones, that’s, among the investigated variables, the melt temperature was the only significant factor influencing the replication quality of the micromixers. Moreover, the rheology behavior and the cooling behavior of the PMMA melt were analyzed and identified as the origins of the process-parameter effects.