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Micromilling: a method for ultra-rapid prototyping of plastic microfluidic devices.

ABSTRACT: This tutorial review offers protocols, tips, insight, and considerations for practitioners interested in using micromilling to create microfluidic devices. The objective is to provide a potential user with information to guide them on whether micromilling would fill a specific need within their overall fabrication strategy. Comparisons are made between micromilling and other common fabrication methods for plastics in terms of technical capabilities and cost. The main discussion focuses on "how-to" aspects of micromilling, to enable a user to select proper equipment and tools, and obtain usable microfluidic parts with minimal start-up time and effort. The supplementary information provides more extensive discussion on CNC mill setup, alignment, and programming. We aim to reach an audience with minimal prior experience in milling, but with strong interests in fabrication of microfluidic devices.

SUBMITTER: Guckenberger DJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4439323 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Micromilling: a method for ultra-rapid prototyping of plastic microfluidic devices.

Guckenberger David J DJ de Groot Theodorus E TE Wan Alwin M D AM Beebe David J DJ Young Edmond W K EW

Lab on a chip 20150601 11

This tutorial review offers protocols, tips, insight, and considerations for practitioners interested in using micromilling to create microfluidic devices. The objective is to provide a potential user with information to guide them on whether micromilling would fill a specific need within their overall fabrication strategy. Comparisons are made between micromilling and other common fabrication methods for plastics in terms of technical capabilities and cost. The main discussion focuses on "how-t ...[more]

PMID: 25906246

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