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CAD-Interface for the Micropipetting System Nano-Plotter

Microassembling methods using adhesives often require the patterned deposition of very low liquid volumes. However, composing of complex layouts from single pixels of glue or lacquer is tedious to program. Hence, a software add-on is now available for the Nano-Plotter software NPC16 . The front end processes DXF data, compiling a list of all dosage positions.

Procedure

The multi-layer concept of the DXF format offers the free assignment of layers to particular dispensers on the Nano-Plotter. In addition, for each layer the number of drops per spot can be set. Geometric objects like arcs and lines are always mapped to lined-up spot positions.

Left: Channel pattern (light blue), for getting filled up with glue (black track). The black markers 1 and 2 are for alignment. Right: GUI of the DXF converter

 

The dispense program supports the optical target recognition system of the Nano-Plotter. Adjustment of the spot pattern to the respective component on the instrument tray is done by clicking the pre-defined marker points on the camera window.
		Calculated spot positions		Finished spot pattern of SU8

Polymers at higher viscosities

Micro dispensing of polymers is available with heatable piezoelectric dispensers on the Nano-Plotter. Bulk dispensing from a cartridge eliminates the need of a heatable well for aspiration. Successful tests were done with P3OT (Organic semiconductor) and PEDOT:PSS (OLEDs) . As always, the spot size of each single spot is affected by the target surface tension.

		Left: Spots on hydrophobic glass, spotdiameter = 208 µm     Right: Spots on hydrophilic glass, spot diameter = 740 µm
All spots consists of 5 drops of 25% SU8-5/GBL (Gamma-Butyrolactone)

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