Met with Professor Lima regarding getting started
Decided to put together a questionnaire in order to narrow down a problem statement and solution in order to actually benefit the public instead of solving a problem that doesn't need solving
Decided to explore modifying the cap itself instead of working with pre-existing caps
Looked through Medical Catalog for similar products, but found none.
Going to Columbia at 10:00 A.M. on Monday February 7th, 2011 to talk to grad students and research professionals about the tubes and caps.
Run through Professor Lima's development slides
Put together questionnaire
Come up with latch system for cap modification
Went to Columbia to research design ideas and take a survey
Met with around 15 people and spoke regarding the annoyances of the current caps
Acquired 8 surveys regarding the above
Discussed preliminary plans of a design for a device which caps and uncaps the snap-on eppendorf tubes
Met with Professor Lima regarding project
Decided to take apart an electric toothbrush to analyze the vortexing component
Decided to implement a “push-down” capping system…Design to follow
Met with Professor Lima regarding design and vortex research
Agreed upon general design of cap and capper
Meeting on Sunday to decide dimensions and plans for molding
Need prototype/model by 3/23
Sorry for no updates! Here is where we are at now:
Finalization for design of the capper is underway. We are starting to set up a prototyping model for the end of the capper that will actually interact with the cap. We are using PVC to test different diameters.
We have yet to actually have a cap. All the materials for the mold are in, but it still needs to be made. Then we can inject plastic in order to actually get a cap and test it.
The idea for the vortexer is underway using a dc motor to spin a rubber disc which with vortex the tube by use of friction.
