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Microplotter

Nanotechnology Research Facility
Equipment
Microplotter

Specifications

  • Model: Sonoplot Microplotter -- II.
  • Feature Size: 5 µm - 200 µm.
  • Feature Types Droplets and contiguous lines, arcs, and bends.
  • Positioning: 35 x 30 x 7 cm (X, Y, Z axes), 5 µm resolution.
  • Calibration: Automatic surface height calibration.
  • Software: SonoGuide and SonoDraw.
  • Dispensed fluid viscosity: up to 450 cP.
  • Deposition Volume > 0.6 pL.
  • Deposition Variability as low as 10%.

Principles

Microplotter is a precision picoliter fluid dispensing system that uses controlled ultrasonics to deposit droplets in a noncontact manner as small as 5 µm wide. The control and CAD software of the Microplotter enable drawing true continuous features, such as lines, arcs, and bends.

Capabilities

  • Importing and printing of AutoCAD and Gerber layout files.
  • A graphical preview of patterns as they are drawn, coupled with a live video feed.
  • Capturing still images or recording digital video from the attached CCD camera.
  • CAD tools for drawing custom patterns.
  • Controls for both completely manual and automatic movement and printing.
  • Automatic surface tilt or curvature mapping.
  • A human-readable text format for defining custom patterns.

Applications

  • Used for drawing features as small as 10 to 20 microns.
  • Enables true contiguous lines for superior conductive traces.
  • Enables the deposition of a wide range of materials, including solutions containing graphene, carbon nanotubes, nanoparticles, and polymers.
  • Allows printing inks with viscosities up to 450 cP.
  • Allows accurate alignment and dispensing on substrates.