Speedy Capper
Problem Statement
Whether one is in the world of medicine or engineering, the use of Micro-centrifuge or Eppendorf Tubes is vital for storing sterile cultures efficiently. Unfortunately, to use these tubes may not be so efficient due to “pop-on” or “screw-on” caps which are difficult to utilize quickly. Our goal is to create a hand-held device which uncaps tubes quickly and efficiently while keeping the environment sterile.
Youtube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-uEYlYmILI
Schedule and Minutes
Background Research
http://www.ssirobotics.com/capper.html
- This link shows a system already invented for uncapping the tubes. It is essentially a large box in which you can place one tube at a time. The device stores each cap individually and does not associate one cap to one tube. It seems very large, and thus not portable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laboratory_centrifuge#Microcentrifuge_tubes
- An article about the uses of Micro-centrifuge Tubes.
http://www.sciencelab.com/page/S/PVAR/23722/60-199250001
- An existing cap opener. In our opinion, expensive for a simple piece of plastic ($25). Simply mechanical. Does not re-cap or label tubes.
Electric Toothbrush - Feb.24.2011
- Analysis on an electric toothbrush and possible application of its mechanisms to a one-handed vortexer/cap opener
Designs
Questionnaire for Determining Design Edited 2/5/11
Consolidated Results of Design Survey:
| Question: | Types of caps used: | Do you own a device to uncap tubes? | Containers for storage: | How many tubes used per experiment? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Answer: | Mostly snap-on, but all used screw caps for high heat and high pressure environments | None owned a device. All used hands. | Plastic racks mostly, but Styrofoam and paper boxes also used. | Ranged anywhere between 2-5 to 400+ |
| Question: | Any labeling system? | Disposable or reusable tubes? | Frequency of purchases of tubes? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Answer: | Writing by hand on the top of caps | All used disposable tubes. | Depended on each lab, but ranged from every 2 weeks to 3 or 4 times a semester. |
| If you have the option to own a device, change the capping system to more efficient caps, or neither, which would you choose? | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Device: | 4 | Caps | 3 | Neither: | 0 | Undecided: | 1 |
Goals of design - capper & vortexer - March.17