Engineering Success
Development of A Simple Fluorometer
Instructor: Yunhe Gong; 3D printing: Yuxuan Chen; Co-Authors: Yuxuan Chen, Ziyi Hu, Lanlan Shan
We have developed a simple fluorescence meter with a function similar to that of a qPCR instrument, which is to record the change in fluorescence value in real time, or after the accumulation of a large amount of data, it does not reflect the real-time data recording, but displays some information when it reaches a certain empirical value. By 1st Oct 2024, we have only finished the hardware part.
Overview
A Brief Introduction to the Device Structure
The following picture is the casing of our 3D printed fluorometer, which gives a raw green fluorescence value.
In order to reduce the influence of background light, the entire device is enclosed.
Internally it contains:
1. A light detection module with an LED light source (excitation wavelength is 470 nm, and emission wavelength is 525 nm)
2. A test panel for programming with a LED screen
3. Interchangeable tube modules
4. Power Module
This device is mainly used to make internal and external connections, to limit the position of the light sources, to replace different modules, to fix the touch screen and the main control board.
#1 Design
The first version addressed the above issues by using Creo software to perform basic design on the rectangular main design through operations such as material removal and stretching:
1. Connect the main control board to the equipment with self tapping screws.
2. Connect the power supply through the side opening.
3. Install a display screen at the top.
4. A groove extends from the side for placing the detection tube.
5. Additionally, design small modules of the same size on the outside and different diameters on the inside to accommodate different detection tubes.
6. The top of the extension slot is designed as a flip cover for easy replacement of modules and detection tubes.
#1 Build
Please see the Simple Fluorometer V1 to check out.
#1 Test
After actual testing, some problems were found:
1. The power hole is not aligned, resulting in the inability to power on.
2. The lid cannot be stably connected to the extension slot.
3. The power limit is too small, causing the limit slot to deform after the power is inserted.
4. There is a significant error in the detected data.
5. There is a hole data mismatch in the connection of the main control board.
6. The maximum detection tube cannot be fully inserted into the extension slot.
#1 Learn
We need absorb the errors of the #1 version:
1. Data design errors.
2. Some functions have not been considered for improvement.
3. Failure to consider the data of the selected device resulted in some functions being unable to be implemented.
#2 Design
Based on #1 Learn, we mainly made relevant modifications to the design for some data errors and functional mismatches:
1. Adjusted the distance between the power hole and the reference plane.
2. The connection part of the flip cover originally used a semi-circular structure. Modify the connection part to a wrap around design with an upward opening to achieve detachable and stable rotation of the lid, making it less likely to fall off.
For the purpose of convenience and material saving, the front limit and height limit have been removed for the power limit, while the side limit has been retained and shortened.
The small module for placing the detection tube was originally designed to place the tube vertically. But due to the limited distance of light emitted by the light source. Therefore, the thickness of the wall between the placement port and the light source was reduced, and the tilted placement of the tube was achieved by establishing a cross-section with the vertical plane as a reference.
5. The distance between the fixing hole of the main control board and the reference plane has been changed.
6. Due to the need to adapt to different pipes and be enclosed as a whole, the detection tube needs to be able to be completely placed in the groove. Appropriately increase the overall height of the equipment.
#2 Build
Please see the Simple Fluorometer V2 to check out.
#2 Test
After actual testing, there is a small problems.The power hole is still not properly aligned. However, the unit can be switched on.
#2 Learn
We need to make some small modifications to make the unit more perfect.
Download the STL Files for Simple fluorometer V2
Click to download the STL File for the main body
Click to download the STL File for the screen holder
Click to download the STL File for the flip cover
Click to download the STL File for the 1.5 ml centrifuge tube module