What Is Micro Dispensing? Everything You Need To Know
Are you looking to find out what Micro Dispensing is, exactly? Maybe you are faced with the problem of precision fluid management in your line of work and are quite desperate to find a solution. Look no further as this is your all-in-one article on understanding Microfluidic Dispensing.
In this article, we are going to discuss the basic principles up to the most advanced automated microfluidic systems, including microfluidic dispensing, types of systems, applications, benefits, and much more.
Let's start, then.
What Is Micro Dispensing Technology?
Micro dispensing technology refers to the precise and controlled dispensing of very small volumes of liquids or pastes. In a broad sense, this technology finds its application in pharmaceuticals electronics manufacturing to biotechnology, where dispensing needs are for tiny fluid quantities.
High precision micro dispensing is usually done using the following special equipment: micro dispensers, pumps, nozzles, and controllers with precise focuses to control the flow and volume of the material to be dispensed.
Micro-dispensing technologies provide the maximum achievable accuracy and repeatability in small volume dispensation and increase product quality while minimizing waste material and maximizing productivity.
It is very critical for fields in which small quantities of expensive or fragile materials are used, and their exact placement determines the ability of the product to function flawlessly.
Types of Precision Micro Dispensing Systems
There are different types of precision Micro Dispensing systems used, each tailored to specific applications and requirements.
Let's discuss them in detail:
1. Jetting Systems:
The jetting systems are complex systems that carry out high-pressure pulses in fluid dispensing of defined droplets. In general, these fluid dispensing automation find applications at high-speeds that will involve highly sped dispensing of low volumes with high levels of accuracy.
These jetting systems find applications in electronics manufacturing, where very fast dispensing of solder paste and underfilling of microelectronic components is required.
2. Piezoelectric Dispensing:
A piezoelectric dispensing system is a technique whereby mechanical vibration, initiated through the piezoelectric effect, occurs to affect fluid ejection in a highly controlled manner.
Such fluid dispensing automation systems would provide excellent accuracies and can dispense volumes into droplets of picoliter to nanoliter volumes. Several typical piezoelectric dispensers applications are bio-printing, microarray spotting, and microfluidic research.
3. Time-pressure Dispensers:
Time-pressure dispensers regulate fluid flow by applying pressure for a specific duration of time. They are versatile, typically dispensing many fluids, from adhesives and sealants to lubricants and coatings.
Time-pressure dispensers are used for automotive assembly, medical device manufacture, and general industrial applications.
4. Auger Valve Systems:
These are the auger valve systems that apply in the case of high-viscous fluids or pastes that are supposed to be dispensed in very accurate ways, which are done through a turning auger screw.
They have broad applications of solder pastes plus epoxies and sealants in the electronics industry during assembly and packaging. Micro dispensing valve systems have control features to provide a person with control over the flow rate.
5. Needle Dispensing Systems:
Needle dispensing systems function by use of a needle or syringe to deposit any nature of fluids in a set amount on substrates or surfaces with high precision.
All these are versatile enough to handle a comprehensive set of viscosities and, as a result, cover several applications, including conformal coating, encapsulation, and assembly of medical devices.
Industries can, therefore, make the right choice of solution for dispensing special requirements by understanding available precision microdispensing systems offering optimum performance and efficiency in their processes.
So now that you have a good understanding of high Precision Micro Dispensing let's get into its application.
Applications of Micro Dispensing Technology
Micro Dispensing is one of the most widely used technologies, with different application areas that are proceeding to hold great potential to revolutionize processes and could stipulate advancement in fields such as precision manufacturing, health care, and electronics among others.
Here are the important applications:
1. Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry: Precision fluid management with the help of micro dispensing allows accurate delivery of drugs and medicines in personalized medicine, diagnostic assays, and bio-printing of tissues. They are important to release formulations for controlled drugs and microfluidic drug screening.
2. Electronics Manufacturing: Adhesives, sealants, and solder pastes are deposited with the help of microfluidic dispensing over the circuit boards, semiconductor chips, and MEMS devices, respectively. This is crucial for electronic devices to demonstrate reliable performance in smartphones, computers, automotive electronics, and wearable devices.
3. Automotive and Aerospace Industries: Sealing, bonding, or coating applications improve vehicle durability and structural integrity for aircraft. The micro dispensing is reflected in the application of thermal barrier coatings, assembling all the different parts of the aircraft, and depositing the adhesive for the composites.
4. Consumer Goods and Personal Care Products: Automated microfluidics dispensing ensures accurate filling of cosmetic containers, pharmaceutical packaging, and household products. Other applications are ink cartridges, fragrance dispensers, and food packaging.
5. Biotechnology and Life Sciences: Micro volume dispensing facilitates manipulation and analysis of biological samples, reagents, and biomolecules for genomics, proteomics, diagnostics, and personalized medicine. It also enables fabrication of microarrays, microfluidic devices, and biosensors.
But why micro dispensing? What benefits do you achieve from it? Let's discuss this in detail below:
The Benefits of Micro Dispensing
Micro Dispensing opens a whole host of benefits over the most significant part of the spectrum of industry, paving the way for advances in precision manufacturing, healthcare, electronics, and more.
Here is a list of a few benefits:
- Precision: Micro Dispensing ensures that fluid deposition is performed with due accuracy in microliter and nanoliter volumes—this is very important for quality results.
- Efficiency: Automated micro dispensing systems ensure that the production process is optimized and focused, resulting in lower downtime and related operational costs.
- Versatility: The micro dispensing technology is versatile because it can deal with various forms of applications since it can be able to handle different fluids and substrates.
- Miniaturization: By accelerating fluid and depositing it into precision fluid management at the microscale, one can construct lightweight and small electronics and health components.
- Customization: Facilitates personalized medicine and targeted therapies by dispensing drugs in precise dosages tailored to individual needs.
- Quality Control: Introduces innovative inspection and feedback setups to attain better process control and product consistency.
- Reduced Waste: Reducing the use of materials and decreasing waste through accurate dispensing or metering can save money and the environment.
Final Words
All in all, micro dispensing technology is no less than a hallmark of precision, efficiency, and effectiveness, as it caters to pharmaceutical applications, among others.
It is versatile, allowing quite several modifications and miniaturization, therefore, promoting innovation and quality control.