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Lab Unit

The Lab Unit is a versatile machine for a pre-industrial production. It allows operator to produce nanostructured electrospun membranes having A3 dimensions.

The structure is made from anodized aluminum profiles and the process area is provided with transparent polycarbonate panels. The theca rests on four adjustable legs. It is also equipped with 2 drawers and 1 cabinet for the storage of glassware and accessories.

The work surface, made of solvent-resistant material, is placed at a height of 900 mm to facilitate the working and maintenance operations. The machine is equipped with two ergonomic openings that allow the operator access to both side. The machine is provided with an internal light for the operations of preparation and a dedicated lamp to make more visible the process of electrospinning.

The machine has been designed in compliance with the regulations in terms of safety and it is equipped with:

  • Exhaust ventilation predisposition;
  • Automatic safety switch for openings;
  • Emergency stop;
  • Walls shatterproof.

The process area of the Lab Unit is equipped with three main units:

  1. Feeding unit of the polymer solution, in the standard version, is constituted by an infusion pump able to handle four syringes;
  2. Spinneret unit for electrospinning, a linear sliding system with a reciprocating motion housing up to 4 needles;
  3. Collecting unit of the nanofibers is constituted by a rotating interchangeable drum (different diameters are available) whose rotation speed can be varied to obtain the alignment of the nanofibers.

The combination of the linear sliding system for the electrospinning process with the rotation of the collector allows a homogeneous deposition on the entire surface of the drum, preventing preferential deposition and accumulation of nanofibers with inhomogeneity in the thickness of the membrane.

The high voltage supply is located inside the electrical panel, and the high voltage wiring is inside the structure to minimize losses and make the machine extremely reliable and secure.

On demand it is possible to conncet a climate system to perform Humidity and Temperature in the electrospinning machine. 


TECHNICAL DATASHEET

Frame

Dimension 1800x1200x1200 mm
Work volume 1,6 m3
Weight 250 kg
Frame material Anodised Aluminium
MWork surface material POM
Panel material PPolycarbonate
HMI Touch-Screen panel
Machine Control PLC
HV Supply 0 – 35kV
Certification CE

Collector

Drum Min Diameter 75mm Collecting area around 90 cm2
Max Diameter 150mm Collecting area around 190 cm2
Length 405 mm
Drum material Aluminium
Max speed drum 75mm 4000 rpm
Max speed drum 150mm 2300 rpm
Motor Brushless
Motor control PLC
Chassis collector material POM

 Sliding Spinneret

Min needle’s number 1
Max needle’s number 4
Distance between spinneret and drum 0 – 350 mm
Max stroke 420 mm
Max sliding speed 2 m/min
Min sliding speed 0,1 m/min
Motor Brushless
Motor control PLC
Chassis spinneret material POM

Feeding system

Syringe’s number Up to 4
Syringe volume 1 ml to  50ml
Min flow rate 0,013 μl/hr
Max flow rate 1 ml Syringe 1.33 ml/min - 50ml Syringe 44.283 ml/min
Motor Stepper
Accuracy ± < 0.5%
Reproducibility ±  0.1%

Exhaust ventilation system required

Max air flow rate 180 m3/hr
Min air flow rate 60m3/hr
Hole diameter 100mm

Gallery