This paper describes a procedure to rapidly design and fabricate 3D microfluidic systems in the elastomer polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) using 3D molding, without the use of photolithography. A microfluidic system of channels is designed in a CAD program with the final fluid path being fully three dimensional. The initial design is inverted to create a negative mold which is 3D printed; the resolution of the printer is the limiting design factor. PDMS is cast in the 3D-printed mold in multiple pieces which are then cured together to create the final 3D device. No plasma bonding is required for the PDMS–PDMS sealing, a “glue” of uncured PDMS is used instead. A sample device of interlocking ring voids is presented to demonstrate the fabrication of a complex geometry which would be nearly impossible to manufacture via traditional soft lithography methods utilizing photolithography.

本文描述了使用 3D 成型在弹性体聚二甲基硅氧烷 (PDMS) 中快速设计和制造 3D 微流体系统的过程，而不使用光刻。通道的微流体系统是在 CAD 程序中设计的，最终的流体路径是完全三维的。将初始设计倒置以创建一个 3D 打印的负模；打印机的分辨率是限制设计因素。PDMS 在 3D 打印模具中浇铸成多块，然后一起固化以创建最终的 3D 设备。PDMS-PDMS 密封不需要等离子键合，而是使用未固化的 PDMS 的“胶水”。