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Sidekick: A Low-Cost Open-Source 3D-printed liquid dispensing robot.

Rodolfo Keesey1, Robert LeSuer2, Joshua Schrier1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Road, The Bronx, NY 10458, USA.

Hardwarex
|June 9, 2022
PubMed
Summary

The Sidekick is an affordable, open-source liquid dispenser for accessible laboratory automation. This 3D-printed system simplifies complex tasks, making lab automation research and education easier.

Keywords:
3D PrintingChemical ExperimentationLaboratory Automation

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Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Laboratory Automation
  • Mechanical Engineering

Background:

  • Laboratory automation is crucial for high-throughput screening and reproducible research.
  • Accessible and cost-effective solutions are needed to democratize lab automation.
  • Existing systems can be complex and expensive, limiting adoption in smaller labs or educational settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop an open-source, low-cost desktop liquid dispenser for accessible laboratory automation.
  • To design a user-friendly system with reduced mechanical complexity and potential for modification.
  • To provide a platform for both research applications and pedagogical introductions to lab automation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a 3D-printed chassis and an armature-based motion system for reduced complexity.
  • Integrated four commercial solenoid-driven positive displacement pumps for precise liquid dispensing (10 µL increments).
  • Employed a Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040 processor programmed in MicroPython for system control, offering a USB serial interface for command input (simple vocabulary or G-Code subset).

Main Results:

  • The Sidekick was successfully constructed at a total cost of $710 USD.
  • The system provides reliable liquid dispensing in 10 µL increments.
  • The open-source design facilitates ease of building and maintenance.

Conclusions:

  • The Sidekick offers a cost-effective, accessible, and maintainable solution for laboratory liquid dispensing.
  • This system lowers the barrier to entry for laboratory automation in research and educational environments.
  • The open-source nature encourages user modification and community-driven improvements.