Optical Manifolds
REFLEX Analytical produces optical manifolds for analytical, industrial, medical/bio-medical and life science applications. The manifolds are made from food-grade and medical-grade plastic materials. The selection of optical plastic materials include but are not limited to Acrylic, Cyclic Olefin Polymer COP/Cyclic Olefin Copolymer COC, Polycarbonate, Polystyrene and Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
CLICK HERE to download and preview representative transmission spectra displaying the useful spectral range from UV-Visible through the Near Infrared wavelengths. These plastic materials provide for optical clarity, chemical resistance, and low fluorescence.
The optical manifolds are clear components and are used as a window into the fluids for either visual inspection or optical sensor real time analysis. The manifolds are commonly integrated with UV-Visible, Near Infrared and FTIR spectroscopy instrumentation. The instrument’s detection system is often mounted close to the transparent sample chamber in the optical manifold for monitoring, control and analysis. The analytical instrumentation assess the properties such as purity, alcohol content and spoilage in wine, beer and soft drinks or the parameters of fat, protein, acidity, glucose and urea in dairy products. In cases of food bacterial analysis, the optical manifolds are an avenue for flow cytometry which is a technique used for bacteria and cell counting for products such as raw milk. Other applications incorporate drilled optical manifolds and multilayer manifolds which are used in blood analyzers, health and medical devices, industrial fluidic applications, and many more platforms requiring precision control for gas and liquid management.
A drilled optical manifold is created by machining action alone from a solid piece of material. The machining approach utilize end mills and drills to create channels and ports for gas and liquid flow. Custom manifolds can be produced for DNA sequencing, environmental test devices, diagnostic instrumentation, space flight applications, and food quality control testing.
Multilayer optical manifolds are particularly valuable in life science applications, including gene sequencing, diagnostic instrumentation, and point of care devices. Beyond life sciences, multilayer manifolds have a variety of uses in the aerospace, defense, biomedical, and diagnostic industries. The layers are fused together seamlessly. The process begins by machining the material into the appropriate configuration for the application then using heat, time, and pressure a single piece is formed with a bond strength that is near the parent-material’s strength. The bonding process allows for geometries that would be difficult, if not impossible in a drilled manifold. External machining completes the manifold by adding ports and mounting holes. Fluidic pressure specifications are design dependent and have successfully performed at greater than 500 psi.
Other plastic materials include ABS, Acetal/Delrin, Acrylic, Cyclic Olefin Polymer COP/Cyclic Olefin Copolymer COC, CPVC, CTFE/KEL-F, Delrin AF, ECTFE (Halar), Fluorosint (207 and 500), LDPE, Noryl, Nylatron GS, Nylon 6/6, PBT, Peek, PES (Radel A), PET, Phenolics/G10, Polycarbonate, Polymethyl methacrylate PMMA, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Polysulfone, PPS, PVC, PVDF, Radel, Rexolite, Tecadur, PTFE, Torlon (4203 and 4301), UHMW, Ultem and Vespel. Many are FDA approved, USDA Certified, or USP Class VI materials.
Contact REFLEX Analytical to discuss your requirement so that we can contribute to your success. Mechanical drawings with specifications and tolerances are prerequisite.
