Low cost hot embossing process for plastics microfluidic chips fabrication

In this work, we develop plastic microfluidic chips based on low cost hot embossing process with metal micromold. Metal micromold was formed on aluminum substrates by CNC milling machine and high precision micromachine. The hot embossing system is in-house made with computer aid design by Solid Work program. The system consists of four main parts, structural body, heating system, compressive system and control electronics. The compressive system consists of two top hydraulic single-stage pistons and four middle-stage pistons. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microfluidic chips were then produced by hot embossing under different applied temperatures and time. It was found that optimum temperature and time for minimum contraction and depth error were 80 degree C and 2-5 minutes. The developed technique offer advantages for microfluidic chip fabrication in term of quality, complexity and cost.