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Syringe Pump

Our open-source syringe pump incorporates a microcontroller controlled stepper motor that turns a lead screw to push or pull the plunger  of a syringe.  

Syringe holders can be custom printed to fit syringes up to ~20 mL.  Files are available for you to custom print your own, or we can do that for you.  The pump comes with holders that fit 1, 3 and 10 mL Beckton-Dickinson plastic syringes.  

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Updates are coming:

The photos on this page are for an earlier model which was based on 3D printed plastic parts (All black pieces in the photos).  We hope soon to offer more durable model made with aluminum (perhaps steel) supports.  The new model will incorporate a different type of linear rail (MGN12) that will simplify the building process.  It will offer a simpler means of changing syringes.  We also plan to incorporate an Arduino compatible microcontroller and will use a new motor driver (TMC2209) that will eliminate the need for end-stop switches.

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Electronics and Software

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Syringes are held by a separate fitting piece that can be easily changed.  To change the syringe, loosen the two screws on the front of the syringe mount and the four on the carriage and lift the syringe and syringe holder from the pump.    

WHAT'S UP?

CURRENT PROJECTS:

If you would like me to put more effort into one of these projects, please send an email telling me which one.

 

The WheeStat Potentiostat.

After years of slow development, we finally have our new model in stock.  The Pico 2.1 boasts a number of design improvements and can source +/- 40 mA. We are working on a high current module that will increase the current output.

 

Spectroscopy Projects.

The spectrometer is coming along.  This is a project that deserves more attention than I have been giving it.  We recently found out that integration periods are limited by the software to about 56 ms or less.  The issue has to do with rolling over a 16 bit counter.  While the 56 ms limitation should not affect most applications, there are others (perhaps astronomical applications) may require longer integration times.  We are working on this and I think I have it fixed in new firmware.  If this is something you are concerned about, contact me at my gmail address and I will get back to you.

I began work on a microtiter plate reader based on our spectrometer. I am looking forward to getting back to that project.

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Electrocardiograph (ECG, also called EKG).

This seems like something that might be worthwhile.  While I have no plan to go through the paperwork to get FDA approval, there are a lot of people in the world who I think would benefit from the availability of low cost medical devices, especially in lower income countries.  I have already submitted a circuit board for fabrication.  Here is a link to the design we are starting with.  A schematic is presented on page 19.

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Stuff we have done recently:

Electrochemical Detector for Capillary Electrophoresis:

  Work during summer 2020 focused on developing an isolated, battery powered potentiostat for use in capillary electrophoresis.  The instrument is based on the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W communicating over WiFi with a windows based host computer.  The Pi and attendant electronics are powered using a 12 volt lead-acid battery. I think this went rather well, but I have not heard back from our partners on this project.

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Migration from Texas Instruments based microcontrollers:

I have decided that TI is just not interested in helping the Maker community.  While I feel like I could probably get them to work with me, They do not seem to play well with the community that I choose to serve.

While I have migrated our spectroscopy effort to incorporate the Arduino compatible Teensy 4.1, I am still looking at other Arduino compatible options.  Mostly, I plan to use the Raspberry Pi Pico. I plan to have our instruments contain an Arduino compatible bootloader so others in the community can modify and upload the code

 

 

 

CONTACT

4989 Tilley Creek Road

Cullowhee, NC 28723

Tel: 828-201-0233
 

 

Mail:  j6summers@gmail.com

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