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This digital document is an article from Polymer Engineering and Science, published by Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc. on April 1, 2005. The length of the article is 4015 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.From the author: Real-time process monitoring of the fabrication process of microfluidic devices using a polymer injection molding machine was carried out using miniature ultrasonic probes. A thick piezoelectric lead-zirconate-titanate film as an ultrasonic transducer (UT) was fabricated onto one end of a 4-mm diameter and 12-mm long steel buffer rods using a sol gel spray technique. The center frequency and 6 dB bandwidth of this UT were 17 MHz and 14 MHz, respectively. A signal-to-noise ratio of more than 30 dB for ultrasonic signals reflected at the probing end was achieved. The probe can operate continuously at 200[degrees]C without ultrasonic couplant and cooling. Clear ultrasonic signals were obtained during injection molding of a 1-mm-thick part having test patterns on its surface. Shrinkage of the molded part and part detachment from the mold were successfully monitored. Surface imperfections of the molded parts due to a lack of the sufficient holding pressure is discussed with regard to the ultrasonic velocity obtained. The presented ultrasonic probes and technique enable on-line quality control of the molded part by optimizing the holding pressure and improvement of process efficiency by reducing the cycle time. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:606-612, 2005. [c] 2005 Society of Plastics EngineersCitation DetailsTitle: Real-time monitoring of injection molding for microfluidic devices using ultrasound.Author: Y. OnoPublication: Polymer Engineering and Science (Refereed)Date: April 1, 2005Publisher: Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc.Volume: 45 Issue: 4 Page: 606(7)Distributed by Thomson Gale