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Home > Technologies > In Line Technologies

In-Line Technologies

Reel-To-Reel Systems:

The Reel-To-Reel system has been designed to accommodate a wide range of reagent application and drying processes for web materials used in test strip product. The Reel-To-Reel is a module system and is used to prepare these different materials in a web format that if necessary, can be slit to appropriate widths that are then used for automatic lamination to assemble the test configuration.

The types of operations that can be included within the Reel-To-Reel are:

  • Reel feed with tension control of membrane or other web material for coating.
  • Reagent dispensing is based on positive displacement systems and can include BioJet, AirJet or Syringe dispensing.
  • Inspection and marking of dispensed operations
  • Automatic tracking of dispense positions on the web
  • Dispensing motion axis transverse to web path
  • Impregnation using immersion methods
  • Tunnel drying using convection heating
  • Lamination of secondary web materials to the main web
  • Reel take-up of web with automatic web tracking
  • Cutting of web into strips

Diagnostic application such as immunological test formats are evolving from only binary "positive-negative" responses to quanitation. This is requiring the application of reagents with a higher degree of accuracy in terms of both reagent volume and position on the web. Since the immunological test format is based on sample flow across the material webs the positions of the test and control lines need to be held to very accurate tolerances relative to a reference such as the membrane edge or conjugate position overlap on the membrane.

Additionally, most web materials show large variations in fluid impregnation capacities which result in significant variations in reagents used for conjugates, sample pad and blood separation pads. Thus, replacing impregnation processes with quantitative dispensing would result in very accurate linear volume concentrations.

The Reel-To-Reel is a modular system that is based on the use of 9 process modules arranged on a chassis that can accommodate a wide range of test product configurations. The module nature allows for the system to be easily reconfigured for different product requirements. This product line can also include a web slitter used to convert wider web formats to smaller web formats for lamination.

In-Line Lamination:

For a continuous lamination process, automated lamination is needed. BioDot has evolved a modular lamination system suitable for test formats comprised of multiple layers joined by adhesives.

Each material is fed from adjustable spindles through guides and under a pressure roller to assure complete adhesion to the support backing. The automated system can also be configured with dispensing or cutting technologies.