We collected our 3D printed ramp and started experimenting with different ways to make sure the tips could slide down the ramp (i.e. changing the distance between the two blocks to see what the optimal distance to allow the tips to slide down by gravity is). During this process, we discovered that there is a possibility that the pipette tips could fall in between the blocks instead of sliding down them. Additionally, the funnel must be secured tight at a specific height above the entrance of the ramp, otherwise the pipette tips would not have enough gravitational potential energy to slide down the ramp completely. Hence, we learned that the positions of our parts must be very precise for the ramp to work.
Process of testing the ramp.
With the ramp working and the hamster wheel on the way, we started brainstorming ways to clamp the pipette tips and drop them into the pipette tip boxes at the required holes. We decided to modify a 3D printer machine so that it can hold a micropipette, move the micropipette downwards to insert itself into a pipette tip, and eject the pipette tip when necessary. Hence, we built a 3D printer machine using parts provided by the Making and Tinkering Lab.
Process of building the 3D printer machine.