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Abstract
High-throughput manufacturing of transdermal microneedle arrays poses a significant challenge due to the high precision and number of features that need to be produced and the requirement of multi-step processing methods for achieving challenging micro-features. To address this challenge, we report a flexible and cost-effective process chain for transdermal microneedle array manufacture that includes mould production using laser machining and replication of thermoplastic microneedles via micro-injection moulding (micromoulding). The process chain also incorporates an in-line manufacturing data monitoring capability where the variability in the quality of microneedle arrays can be determined in a production run using captured data. Optical imaging and machine vision technologies are also implemented to create a quality inspection system that allows rapid evaluation of key quality indicators. The work presents the capability of laser machining as a cost-effective method for making microneedle moulds and micro-injection moulding of thermoplastic microneedle arrays as a highly-suitable manufacturing technique for large-scale production with low marginal cost.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 311-321 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | CIRP Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology |
Volume | 32 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 4 Feb 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research work was undertaken in the context of MICROMAN project (“Process Fingerprint for Zero-defect Net-shape MICROMANufacturing”, http://www.microman.mek.dtu.dk/). MICROMAN is a European Training Network supported by Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (Project ID: 674801). This research has also received funding and support from two other Horizon 2020 projects: HIMALAIA (Grant agreement No. 766871) and Laser4Fun (GA no. 675063).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 CIRP
Keywords
- data acquisition
- laser micro-machining
- micro-injection molding
- microneedle arrays
- polymer replication
- process monitoring
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'A cost-effective process chain for thermoplastic microneedle manufacture combining laser micro-machining and micro-injection moulding'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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H2020_ITN_LASER4FUN
European Commission, European Commission - Management Costs
1/09/15 → 31/08/19
Project: Research