College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 2
College of Engineering
Department - Author 2
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 2
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 3
College of Engineering
Department - Author 3
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 3
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 4
College of Engineering
Department - Author 4
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 4
BS in Mechanical Engineering
Date
3-2023
Primary Advisor
John Fabijanic, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
Precise alignment to the micron level is a necessity for microfluidic/micromechanical devices to function as designed. Because of this, a micro-alignment device was commissioned by Professor Hans Mayer on behalf of the Cal Poly Microfluidics Laboratory. Prototype creation was bounded by a set of requirements including, ability to align PDMS & Silicon wafer halves to ± 10 microns, total process speed of three minutes, and total budget of $3000. Some major design hurdles included an ability to verify alignment, possible non-planar alignment pieces, and an inability to contact any point on the face of the alignment pieces after bonding treatment. These were addressed by using clear, acrylic vacuum chucks and two digital cameras. That way, alignment could be verified visually with the camera and see-through vacuum chuck and the vacuum chuck would be able to secure the alignment pieces while only contacting a single face. The possible non-planar surface of the alignment pieces was determined to be a concern but will be assessed whether it needed addressing during testing. Manufacturing/sourcing of each piece of the prototype went generally smoothly. One delayed piece made it unable to fully assemble the prototype for a final verification test. However, the stages purchased are more than capable to meet the design alignment requirements and the total budget was more than met. The final design requirement of a total process time of under three minutes unfortunately remains untested.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/699
CAD Files