Microfluidic Testing using an acrylic vacuum chamber

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Microfluidic Testing using an acrylic vacuum chamber
Our client performs a wide array of microfluidic testing in their laboratory. The requirements were 1. to install injection ports which are connected to a syringe pump outside of the chamber, 2. A gas port to pump gas such as carbon dioxide, helium, or argon into the specimen, 3. an electric feedthrough port in order to connect a heat plate and heat the sample inside the chamber during vacuum tests.

This was a custom chamber to which we added two feedthrough ports and an NEMA 5-15R power outlet (The same used in many US homes to power basic household appliances such as TV or a microwave)

The final design also included an aluminum base plate along with a heat insulator beneath to protect the bottom chamber wall from heat damage. Take a look at the light bulb being turned on as we pull a full vacuum on this chamber.

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Vacuum Chamber and Pump Systems
Our Vacuum Chamber and pump systems are fully setup and ready to go. What you get is a vacuum chamber, a vacuum pump, and connection hardware. We carry acrylic or metallic vacuum chambers and a whole range of vacuum pumps from Rotary Vane, Piston, or Venturi. What type of vacuum chamber and pump system you want depends on your project requirement, budget, and other specifications.
Rotary Vane Vacuum Pumps
Rotary Vane Vacuum Pumps are the most widely used vacuum pump in the industry. When it comes to performance at a reasonable price, rotary vane vacuum pumps are the way to go. Many Rotary Vane Pumps can achieve 2 to 5 milliTorr vacuum rating at a good volumetric flowrate (2 to 20 CFM) at a very reasonable price (hundreds to a few thousand dollars)
Our Work: High Altitude Vacuum Testing of Electrical Connectors and Components
This was an interesting project where one of our customers needed to test wires up to 44 inches long within a high altitude simulation environment. In addition to testing wires, several other electric connectors required altitude testing as well. The altitude requirements were 100,000 feet (30.510 km) which corresponds to 8.36 Torr - a piece of cake when it comes to the vacuum requirements of our chambers.
Related Articles: Bubble Leak Testing using an Acrylic Vacuum Chamber
Bubble Leak Testing or Bubble Emission Testing is a procedure where leaks are visually detected and located through the emission of bubbles while the test specimen is submerged in water. In this article, we will talk about using an acrylic vacuum box as a leak detection device. We are also going to talk about the advantage, disadvantage, and the bubble leak emission test procedures.