A fully automatic PDMS sheet production system

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of full-automatic PDMS sheet production systems, including support frame, the support frame is slidably connected with injection and stirring system, vacuum system and casting system;Wherein, the injection and stirring system can be moved in left and right, up and down direction along support frame;The vacuum system can be moved in front and back direction along support frame;The casting system can be moved in front and back direction along support frame and rotate;The system is automatically linked, collocation by multiple processes, can realize the automatic making of PDMS sheet, and the efficiency of sheet is high, and the sheet is uniform, and the quality is good.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of biochip fabrication, and more specifically to a fully automated PDMS wafer production system. Background Technology

[0002] Biochips, also known as protein chips or gene chips, refer to the process of immobilizing a large number of probe molecules on a support and then hybridizing them with fluorescently labeled DNA or other sample molecules (such as proteins, factors, or small molecules). The quantity and sequence information of the sample molecules are obtained by detecting the hybridization signal intensity of each probe molecule. In a narrower sense, a biochip refers to a lattice of biomolecules formed by immobilizing biomolecules on solid-phase media such as silicon wafers, glass slides, plastic sheets, gels, and nylon membranes using various methods. PDMS sheets are an essential tool in the biochip fabrication process; the channels on the PDMS sheet allow for the uniform immobilization of biomolecules on the solid-phase mediator surface. Currently, the entire process of forming PDMS sheets from liquid to solid is still manually operated, and automated production has not yet been achieved, resulting in low yields and severely restricting the development of the growing biochip market. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention discloses a fully automated PDMS sheet production system. This system automatically connects and coordinates multiple processes to achieve automated production of PDMS sheets, resulting in high sheet production efficiency, uniform sheet production, and good quality.

[0004] A fully automated PDMS sheet production system includes a support frame, on which an injection and mixing system, a vacuum system, and a casting system are slidably connected; wherein, the injection and mixing system can move along the support frame in the left-right and up-down directions; the vacuum system can move along the support frame in the front-back direction; and the casting system can move and rotate along the support frame in the front-back direction. The injection and mixing system injects the liquid material into the test tube below and mixes it evenly. First, the vacuum system removes air bubbles from the liquid, and then the casting system pours the liquid material in the test tube onto the template for shaping.

[0005] Preferably, the injection and mixing system includes a vertical support, which is slidably connected to the support frame in the left-right direction. A liftable injection mechanism is connected to the right side of the vertical support, and a liftable mixing mechanism is connected to the left side of the vertical support.

[0006] Preferably, a support platform is provided within the support frame, and the injection and mixing system, vacuum system, and casting system are all installed above the support platform.

[0007] Preferably, the stirring mechanism is equipped with a cleaning mechanism, which is mounted on the upper surface of the support platform.

[0008] Preferably, the vacuum system includes a vacuum barrel that can slide along the front-back direction of the support platform. A first clamp for picking up the sample and a vacuum pumping mechanism for vacuuming are arranged above the vacuum barrel. Both the first clamp and the vacuum pumping mechanism are slidably connected to the support frame in the vertical direction.

[0009] Preferably, the casting system includes a second clamp for gripping the sample, the second clamp being connected to a steering mechanism that can rotate in the vertical direction, the steering mechanism being connected to a forward and backward moving mechanism, the forward and backward moving mechanism being connected to a vertical moving mechanism, and the vertical moving mechanism being connected to a support frame.

[0010] Preferably, the steering mechanism includes a U-shaped frame, the second clamp is connected to the middle plate of the U-shaped frame, one side wing plate of the U-shaped frame is connected to a gear transmission mechanism, and the gear transmission mechanism is connected to the forward and backward moving mechanism.

[0011] Preferably, the other wing plate of the U-shaped frame is connected to a counterweight gear.

[0012] Preferably, a movable plate is slidably connected to the upper surface of the platform in the front-back direction, the vacuum barrel is mounted on the upper surface of the movable plate, and a test tube rack for fixing the test tubes is also mounted on the movable plate.

[0013] This invention also discloses a method for producing PDMS wafers using the above system, the specific steps of which are as follows: Step 1: The injection mechanism injects liquid into the test tube, the vertical support moves a set distance to the right, and the stirring mechanism descends to stir the liquid in the test tube, so as to mix the two liquids evenly. Step 2: After stirring, the first clamp will lift the test tube and place it into the vacuum chamber. The vacuum mechanism will descend, seal the vacuum chamber, and then draw a vacuum to remove air bubbles from the liquid. Step 3: After vacuuming is completed, the test tube is sent to the casting system station in front. The second clamp picks up the test tube, and the forward and backward moving mechanism and the up and down moving mechanism transfer the test tube to the top of the mold. The turning mechanism is activated to pour the liquid in the test tube into the mold.

[0014] Beneficial effects This system achieves fully automated production of PDMS from liquid to solid by setting up an automatically operating injection and stirring system, vacuum system and casting molding system within the support frame. The various moving and turning mechanisms cooperate and connect with each other to achieve automated film production without human intervention, which greatly improves production efficiency and film quality. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 The overall structure of the present invention Figure 1 ; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of A in the middle; Figure 3 The overall structure of the present invention Figure 2 ; Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of B in the middle; Figure 5 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of C; Figure 6 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of D; Figure 7 shows the overall structure of the present invention. Figure 3 ; Figure 8 for Figure 7 Enlarged view of E in the middle; In the diagram: 1. Support frame; 1-1. Top plate; 1-2. Profile; 1-3. Toolbox; 2. Injection and mixing system; 2-1. Vertical support; 2-2. Injection mechanism; 2-3. Mixing mechanism; 2-4. Cleaning mechanism; 3. Vacuum system; 3-1. Vacuum tank; 3-2. Air extraction mechanism; 3-3. First clamp; 4. Casting and molding system; 4-1. Second clamp; 4-2. Steering mechanism; 4-2-1. U-shaped frame; 4-2-2. Gear transmission mechanism; 4-2-3. Counterweight gear; 4-3. Forward and backward moving mechanism; 4-4. Up and down moving mechanism; 5. Support platform; 6. Moving plate; 7. Third clamp. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0018] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms “inner,” “outer,” “left,” and “right” indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0019] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the present invention discloses a fully automatic PDMS sheet production system. The system includes a support frame 1 and an injection and stirring system 2, a vacuum system 3 and a casting system 4 that are slidably connected to the support frame. The support frame is formed by assembling profiles 1-2. A top plate 1-1 is installed on the top of the profiles, and a toolbox 1-3 is set at the bottom of the profiles. A steel support platform 5 is installed inside the profiles on the top of the toolboxes.

[0020] Two sets of guide rail slider mechanisms are installed on the upper surface of the support platform 5 to form a dual-station moving system. This moving system is driven by a gear and rack mechanism driven by a motor to move the test tube and vacuum system back and forth.

[0021] like Figure 2 As shown, the feeding and mixing system 2 includes a vertical support 2-1, which is connected to a first lifting cylinder at its top. Driven by the first lifting cylinder, the feeding mechanism 2-2 and the mixing mechanism 2-3 are raised or lowered. Each of the feeding and mixing mechanisms is equipped with a second lifting cylinder for fine-tuning the lifting and lowering of the mechanisms. The first lifting cylinder slides left and right along the support frame via a motor belt system and a profile 1-2 below the top plate 1-1 on the support frame. On the left side of the guide rail slider mechanism, a cleaning mechanism 2-4 is also installed on the upper surface of the support platform, which can be used to clean materials adhering to the mixing mechanism. To improve mixing efficiency and ensure uniform mixing, the mixing mechanism is equipped with three stirring rods arranged side-by-side, which can simultaneously stir the liquid in three test tubes.

[0022] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, a movable plate 6 is slidably mounted on each set of guide rail slider mechanism. A test tube rack is installed in front of the movable plate, and a vacuum tank 3-1 is installed behind the movable plate. A third lifting cylinder that runs vertically through the top half is installed on the rear half of the top plate. The third lifting cylinder is connected to the vacuuming mechanism 3-2. A fourth lifting cylinder is installed on the top plate in front of the vacuuming mechanism. The fourth lifting cylinder is connected to the first clamp 3-3. The first clamp is a pneumatic manipulator. After the test tubes are loaded and stirred evenly, they move backward to the vicinity of the first clamp under the transmission action of the guide rail slider. Under the movement action of the first clamp, the entire test tube rack carrying multiple test tubes is moved into the vacuum tank 3-1. Then the vacuum tank moves backward to below the vacuuming mechanism 3-2. The vacuuming mechanism seals the vacuum tank and performs vacuuming under the action of the third lifting cylinder to remove air bubbles from the test tubes.

[0023] like Figure 5-8 As shown, the casting system 4 includes a second clamp 4-1 for gripping the sample. The second clamp is a pneumatic manipulator structure. The second clamp is connected to a steering mechanism 4-2 that can rotate in the vertical direction. The steering mechanism includes an inverted U-shaped frame 4-2-1 connected to the second clamp. A rotating shaft is connected through the ends of the two side wing plates of the U-shaped frame. One end of the rotating shaft is connected to a gear transmission mechanism 4-2-2. The gear transmission mechanism is connected to a forward and backward moving mechanism 4-3. The forward and backward moving mechanism is driven by a horizontal moving cylinder. The forward and backward moving mechanism is connected to a vertical moving mechanism 4-4. The vertical moving mechanism is connected to the support frame through a fifth lifting cylinder.

[0024] To ensure smooth and flexible movement of the steering mechanism, a counterweight gear 4-2-3 is connected to the other side wing plate of the U-shaped frame, which is the other end of the drive shaft.

[0025] The first clamp removes the vacuum-evacuated test tube rack from the vacuum barrel. The test tube rack is transported to the front end of the support platform 5 along the guide rail slider mechanism. The second clamp picks up one of the test tubes. Under the combined action of the steering mechanism, the forward and backward movement mechanism and the up and down movement mechanism, the liquid in the test tube is poured into the mold in front of the support platform for shaping, thus realizing the automated production of PDMS.

[0026] Between the first clamp and the moving plate, a third clamp 7 is also installed for lifting test tubes from the test tube rack. The third clamp is connected to the support frame via a sixth lifting cylinder. The second clamp and the third clamp cooperate to hold the test tube lifted by the third clamp, and only the next action is needed.

[0027] The present invention also discloses a method for producing PDMS wafers using the above system, as follows: Step 1: The injection mechanism injects liquid into the test tube, the vertical support moves a set distance to the right, and the stirring mechanism descends to stir the liquid in the test tube, so as to mix the two liquids evenly. Step 2: After stirring, the first clamp will lift the test tube and place it into the vacuum chamber. The vacuum mechanism will descend, seal the vacuum chamber, and then draw a vacuum to remove air bubbles from the liquid. Step 3: After vacuuming is completed, the test tube is sent to the casting system station in front. The second clamp picks up the test tube, and the forward and backward moving mechanism and the up and down moving mechanism transfer the test tube to the top of the mold. The turning mechanism is activated to pour the liquid in the test tube into the mold.

[0028] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A fully automated PDMS wafer production system, characterized in that, It includes a support frame, which is slidably connected to an injection and mixing system, a vacuum system, and a casting system; a support platform is provided inside the support frame, and the injection and mixing system, vacuum system, and casting system are all installed above the support platform; The material injection and mixing system can move along the support frame in the left-right and up-down directions; the vacuum system can move along the support frame in the front-back direction; and the casting system can move and rotate along the support frame in the front-back direction. The material injection and mixing system includes a vertical support, which is slidably connected to the support frame in the left and right directions. A liftable material injection mechanism is connected to the right side of the vertical support, and a liftable mixing mechanism is connected to the left side of the vertical support. The vacuum system includes a vacuum barrel that can slide along the front and back direction of the support platform. A first clamp for clamping test tubes and a vacuum pumping mechanism are arranged above the vacuum barrel. Both the first clamp and the vacuum pumping mechanism are slidably connected to the support frame in the vertical direction. The injection and mixing system injects the liquid material into the test tube below and mixes it evenly. First, the vacuum system removes air bubbles from the liquid, and then the casting system pours the liquid material in the test tube onto the template for shaping. The casting system includes a second clamp for gripping the test tube, the second clamp being connected to a steering mechanism that can rotate in the vertical direction, the steering mechanism being connected to a forward and backward moving mechanism, the forward and backward moving mechanism being connected to a vertical moving mechanism, and the vertical moving mechanism being connected to a support frame.

2. The fully automated PDMS wafer production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stirring mechanism is equipped with a cleaning mechanism, which is mounted on the upper surface of the support platform.

3. The fully automated PDMS wafer production system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The steering mechanism includes a U-shaped frame, the second clamp is connected to the middle plate of the U-shaped frame, and a gear transmission mechanism is connected to one side wing plate of the U-shaped frame. The gear transmission mechanism is connected to the forward and backward movement mechanism.

4. The fully automated PDMS wafer production system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The other wing plate of the U-shaped frame is connected to a counterweight gear.

5. The fully automated PDMS wafer production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A movable plate is slidably connected to the upper surface of the support platform in the front-to-back direction. The vacuum barrel is installed on the upper surface of the movable plate, and a test tube rack for fixing the test tubes is also installed on the movable plate.

6. A method for producing PDMS wafers using the fully automated PDMS wafer production system of claim 3, characterized in that, The specific steps are as follows: Step 1: The injection mechanism injects liquid into the test tube, the vertical support moves a set distance to the right, and the stirring mechanism descends to stir the liquid in the test tube, so as to mix the two liquids evenly. Step 2: After stirring, the first clamp will lift the test tube and place it into the vacuum chamber. The vacuum mechanism will descend, seal the vacuum chamber, and then draw a vacuum to remove air bubbles from the liquid. Step 3: After vacuuming is completed, the test tube is sent to the casting system station in front. The second clamp picks up the test tube, and the forward and backward moving mechanism and the up and down moving mechanism transfer the test tube to the top of the mold. The turning mechanism is activated to pour the liquid in the test tube into the mold.

Images