Microplotter Proto

The SonoPlot® Microplotter Proto is an entry-level picoliter fluid dispensing system for the microarray and polymer electronics markets that still provides significant advantages over existing products in deposited feature size and type, regularity of volumes dispensed, and flexibility for the user


Key Features

The core of the Microplotter is a dispenser that uses controlled ultrasonics to deposit fluid in a noncontact manner. This patented technology can produce picoliter droplets that form features on a surface as small as 20 µm wide. When combined with automatic surface height calibration, coefficents of variability for deposited feature diameters as small as 10% can be achieved. A wide range of fluids can be used, including aqueous solutions and many organic-solvent-based mixtures. Fluids that other dispensers struggle with, such as saturated solutions for MALDI-ToF matrices, or fluids with viscosities up to 450 cP, can be deposited with ease. The ultrasonic pumping action is also an efficient cleaning mechanism for quickly depositing many solutions sequentially.

In addition to spots, the Microplotter Proto can draw true continuous features, such as lines, arcs, and bends. These are uniform elements, not made from overlapping droplets like other technologies, and are particularly well-suited to the polymer electronics field.

Software

SonoPlot's SonoGuide control software is designed to be flexible and powerful, while still being easy to use.

Features of this software include:

  • Importing and printing of AutoCAD® DXF and Gerber layout files

  • A graphical preview of patterns as they are drawn, coupled with a live video feed from the printhead

  • Capturing still images or recording digital video from the attached CCD camera

  • Controls for both completely manual and automatic movement and printing

  • Automatic surface tilt or curvature mapping

  • A human-readable text format for defining custom patterns

All updates to this software are free to system owners, and we pride ourselves on responding to customer feedback by regularly adding new capabilities and improving existing ones.

 

Technical Specifications

Feature Size 20 µm - 200 µm
Feature Types Droplets and contiguous lines
Deposition Volume > 1.8 pL
Deposition Variability As low as 10%
Viscosity < 450 cP
Positioning 31 x 31 x 7 cm (X, Y, Z axes)
Weight 91 kg (200 lbs)
Calibration Automatic surface height calibration
Camera USB 3.0 with digital video capture
Software SonoGuide Control Software
Dimensions 62 x 60 x 40 cm (24.4 x 23.5 x 15.5 in.)
Power 3.0 A for 100-120 V or 1.5 A for 220-220 V