Week of 01/26/11
Met with Professor Lima
Received Research Documents from Michael Sterman
Looked at prototype of automated pipetter
Looked at the different pipettes
Next Steps:
Read through research
Contact Michael Sterman
Make a modified design of automated pipetter
Week of 2/2/11
Met with Professor Lima
Made a flow chart of systems
Made a diagram for positioning of wells
Discussed video details and made introductory video
Discussed design concepts
Talked to Michael Sterman about specifics of the Fab@home
Acquired some files pertaining to coding of project
Next Steps:
Start coding in Python for Fab@home
Continue discussing specifics of Fab@home features and project
Learn how to use Arduino
Week of 2/9/11
Met with Professor Lima
Relocated and set up our work station
Calibrated the Fab@home XYZ movement
Acquired measurements for specific pipetters
Acquired a CD Drive (For pipetter tip layer movement)
Made a QFD Chart
Acquired two stepper motors
Next Steps:
Make optimized XYZ movement path
Make design for implementation of tip layer movement
Week of 2/16/11
Met with Professor Lima
Looked into pipetter path options
Looked at software related to Fab@home
Opened up a CD Drive (For pipetter tip layer movement)
Began designs for pipet holder
Learned how to use stepper motors
Next Steps:
Make design for implementation of tip layer movement
Look into making interpreter for Fab@home
Week of 2/23/11
Met with Professor Lima
Made possible primary clamp design in Solid Works
Made variable secondary clamp design to keep pipet stable
Researched lead screw linear actuator designs and prices
Designed a pipet presser using a cam design (Mostly designed in Solid Works)
Compared the costs and feasibility of each pipet presser design
Continued looking at source code of making Fab@home interpreter
Considered other options pertaining to keeping old interpreter
Learned how to setup Arduino
Began side Arduino project of making a breathalyzer
Next Steps:
Finalize the pipet pusher design
Finalize the pipet clamps
Continue making optimized XYZ path movement
Continue breathalyzer side project