Open source scientific bottle roller

Abstract

Proprietary bottle rolling systems automate some laboratory applications, however, their high costs limit accessibility. This study provides designs of an open source bottle roller that is compatible with distributed digital manufacturing using 3-D printed parts and readily-available commercial components. The experimental results show that the open source bottle roller can be fabricated for CAD$210 (about USD$150) in materials, which is 86% less expensive than the most affordable proprietary bottle roller on the market. The design, however, is more robust with enhanced capabilities. The design can be adapted to the user's needs, but is already compatible with incubators with a low profile (dimensions 50 cm x46 cm x8.8 cm) and capable of being operated at elevated temperatures. The systems can be adjusted to revolves from 1 to 200 RPM, exceeding the rotational speed of most commercial systems. The open source bottle roller as tested has a capacity greater than 1.2 kg and can roll twelve 100 mL bottles simultaneously. Validation testing showed that it can operate for days at 80 RPM without human intervention or monitoring for days at both room temperature and elevated temperatures (50 °C). Future work includes adapting the designs for different sizes and for different fabrication techniques to further reduce costs and increase flexibility.

Keywords: 3D printing; Bottle roller; Bottle rolling; Chemical mixing; Open hardware; Scientific hardware.

Fig. 1

Axis.

Fig. 2

Belts.

Fig. 3

Gear-1.

Fig. 4

Gear-2.

Fig. 5

Motor Gear.

Fig. 6

Half connector.

Fig. 7

Wall-1, Wall-2, Wall-3, and Wall-4.

Fig. 8

Outer Plates 1) Outer Plate-1, b) Outer Plate-2, c) Outer Plate-3, d) Outer Plate-4.

Fig. 9

Reinforcing Bar.

Fig. 10

Roller Mount.

Fig. 11

Spacer.

Fig. 12

Motor box.

Fig. 13

Cover-1.

Fig. 14

Cover-2.

Fig. 15

Wire cover-1 and Wire cover-2.

Fig. 16

Frame part names.

Fig. 17

PVC pipe a) Drawing, b) Part.

Fig. 18

Gluing Roller Mounts on the PVC pipes.

Fig. 19

Inserting ball bearings inside the Outer Plates holes.

Fig. 20

Bolting Half Connectors on the Outer Plates.

Fig. 21

Screwing Reinforce Bars on Half Connectors.

Fig. 22

Bolting walls together.

Fig. 23

Screwing the walls to the Outer Plates.

Fig. 24

Inserting Axis, Spacer, and PVC pipe on the Outer Plate-1 and Outer Plate-2.

Fig. 25

Screwing the Outer Plate-3 and Outer Plate-4 on the walls.

Fig. 26

Pipes assembly.

Fig. 27

Inserting Gear-1 and Gear-2, the spacer, and the PVC pipes on Outer Plate-3 and Outer Plate-4.

Fig. 28

Assembling electronic components, a) Electrical diagram, b) assembles electronic parts.

Fig. 29

Inserting motor to the Motor Box and attaching them to the Outer Plate-3.

Fig. 30

Adding the Belts.

Fig. 31

Adding covers and final assembly.

Fig. 32

3-D printable adapter for microcentrifuge tube.