Team Members
Adam Hays, Andrew Graeber, Crae Andrew, Domingo Alegria, Drew Meyerson, Snehal Misra, and Zachary Brown
Abstract
Team 227B Benchmark Bio Solutions designed an effective and reliable shaker table mechanism by offering a system that is resilient to the harsh environments needed to study micro-bio cultures. Implementing brushless DC motors into a two-dimensional slider crank power transmission increases the reliability of the system; custom built linkage bars feature embedded brass bushings to continuously lubricate the drive pins. Each of the linear, orbital, and double-orbital shake patterns are actuated by changing the rotation direction and phase of each motor. Once set the motors spin continuously rather than oscillating as seen in other kinematic setups – optimizing the performance from the chosen DC motors. The range of motion of the shake plate is determined by which hole location on the drive hubs the eccentric pins are connected to; an operator can easily change this parameter by adjusting two easily accessible bolts on the table. A simple user interface allows the operator to change the culture agitation pattern based on readings made by the table’s optical density and fluorescent intensity culture interrogation mechanism. LED lights in the visible and ultraviolet spectrum illuminate and react with the culture samples to provide feedback on cell growth to the operator. Shielding systems and carefully designed photoresistor sensing locations allows the shaker table mechanism to address each test tube or well individually. All electronics and sensing technologies are designed with an IPx5 waterproofing rating and a wide, -20 to 70 Celsius, thermal range to offer the most complete micro-bio culture interface yet.
Pitch Video
3D Interactive Product Model
The following is an interactive 3D model of the product design. You can view and rotate the product assembly in different orientations and views, including an exploded view to see the various parts that make up the assembly.