I.    High Voltage Power Supply

HOLMARC HO-NFES-SYS comes with HMPSKV30 model high voltage power supply. Output voltage and current can be set using front panel knobs and readout from the digital panel meters.

II.    Independently Controlled Dual Channel Syringe Pump

HOLMARC’S HO-SPLF4 model syringe pump provides independent control of two dual channel syringe pumps. The speed and flow rate can be changed on both to achieve custom fabrications of fibers.

The Syringe pump also can be moved to and fro in X axis. The maximum travel distance is 200mm. The movement is controlled via PC.

It can operate with standard off-the-shelf syringes made of plastic, glass or stainless steel. The microprocessor based control circuit can render a flow rate of 16 µl/hr to 630 ml/hr (with 5ml Syringe). The syringe diameter, spin duration or the target volume can be set by the user through the ElectroSpinner software interface.

III.    Metal Funnel Collector

Metal funnel collector is a funnel shaped rotating mandrel where fiber yarns are formed and rolled into spool. A thin film web of nanofiber is first formed on a metal funnel collector and is drawn initially to a 3D cone shape. With the rotation of funnel collector, a twisted nanofiber yarn is drawn from the vertex of the cone.

Specifications :

1.  Rotating speed : 300 to 4000 rpm
2.  Material : Aluminium
3.  Diameter : 100mm

IV.    Yarn Spool

Yarn Spool is compact and modular motorized positioner for rolling the nanofiber yarn into spool. Stepper motor is used as electrical actuator. Yarn Spool is XY axis configurable.

Specifications :

1.  Material : Acetal resin
2.  Rotating speed : 1 to 100 rpm
3.  Linear reciprocating movement : 50 mm

V.    Rotating Mandrel

Rotating mandrels which comes with the electrospinning unit can be used as a target to get an aligned continuous mesh of nanofiber. It has a speed range of 300rpm to 4000rpm suitable for electrospinning. Grounding of the mandrel to the HV power supply is attained through a carbon brush contact. The rotating mandrel has a speed stability of +/- 1%. Holmarc’s HO-RM-01 is a high speed rotating mandrel assembly which works with Holmarc HO-MN series mandrels of 2mm to 100mm diameter and is of 200mm length. No. of mandrels supplied are 100mm, 75mm, 50mm, 25mm, 15mm, 12mm, 6mm, 4mm, 2mm.

VI.    Y Plate Collector & Stationary Target

This collector can be used as Stationary target or as Y plate collector. The stationary target which acts as a collector of electro spun nanofibers, is made of stainless steel plate such that it can be held vertically on a table top. It also has connector for grounding.

Using a stationary target alone cannot attain a uniform density of fibers, as most of the fiber is collected around the point orthogonal to the syringe needle. Combined with X movement provided on the syringe pump, the Y translation stage on the target keeps the target move through a commanded motion profile. Depending on the motion profile, fibers get collected uniformly on the target. The motion profile can be created using a series of commands available in the software.

VII.    Needle Spinneret

The Flat tipped metal needles are provided for the easy flow of the nano fibers. The high voltage is connected to the tip of the needle using metal clips.

VIII.    Fume Hood

HOLMARC’s HO-FH-05 model fume hood provides an enclosed atmosphere for electrospinning. An enclosed chamber is necessary to protect the user from pollutant air caused by solvent evaporation during the process. It comes with an exhaust fan attached or optionally with a duct of custom dimension so that it can be connected to an exhaust duct available onsite.

HOLMARC’s Fume Hood also has an option for in-built heater capable to provide a temperature up to 45°C. An independent PID controller ensures precise control of temperature. A common electronic control unit for all the devices in the electrospinning system is integrated within the hood.

The fume Hood has transparent side walls and front door shield made of float glass. This ensures good visibility of the process. High intensity light from the optional halogen lamp illuminates the nanofibers being spun on its way to the target. The table top is made of granite which makes the cleaning process easy.

IX.    Accessories

a.    Normal Glass Syringe

b.    Glass Syringe with tube connector

c.    Spare Needle

d.    Teflon Tube

X.    UV Curing Lamp (Optional)

A special 10W 254nm UV light can be added on top of the rotating collector drum which helps to cure the spun fibers.

It can be switched on during the operation or when fiber spun is completed on the collector drum.

As the UV light is harmful for our skin and eye, the glass surfaces of the chamber is protected with special coatings to reflect maximum UV.

The controller is also provided with an ON/OFF Switch for the UV Lamp.