Simulation is commonly used to optimise mould design for complex 3D products, but it is particularly difficult to describe precisely the injection moulding process for microscale features. In the present project, a typical micro-sized feature, critical for a microfluidic flow cytometer chip is used to develop a feasible approach to simulate the filling progress of microfeatures. Factors including heat transfer coefficient, venting, wall slip, and freezing temperature are studied. Notably, the insufficient filling of microfeatures is predicted successfully, and the selected parameters are validated by two further configurations of microfluidic mould tool inserts. This project constitutes an important example of simulating the microinjection moulding process in the production of polymeric microscale devices and the development of mould tool inserts with micron-sized features.
View Case Study: Moldex3D: Using Moldex3D to Design Microfluidic Features >>