We returned to the lab to try shaking our prototype to test if our new idea works. It did not.
The pipette tips refused to go into the holes.
Upon examination of the prototype, we realised the problem was because the tips and the circular holes were on the same flat horizontal plane, and that the tips needed to be at a very specific angle to enter the holes. From this, we came up with the idea to add a small ramp for every hole in the box such that the pipette tips can slide into the correct orientation before entering the hole.
Drawing of our idea. (Credits: Abigail)
Expanding on this idea, we wanted to start with a simpler prototype of a mould of the pipette tip in the middle of the box. The idea was that the box would be shaken, and the pipette tips would fall into the mould and be shot out of the box by an air jet situated on the other side of the hole. We first created a prototype of this idea using cardboard.
The cardboard prototype we created.
Working on the project with Mr Gan.