Embedded Files
Progress
As I continue my research journey, my data begins with printing my own model of a micropipette, using the printers located in the RCHS Engineering department. The best way to test the accuracy, is to make my own and then compare with the market value pipettes that are used within the biotechnology division. During the month of January, I have been working with Mr. Westman and his printers to copy the same dimensions and parts as the model I am using from BadenLab. The image to the right, shows the different parts that are printed out, that will later be assembled to form the final pipette.
Once I downloaded each part within a .STL format, it took about 26 hours to fully print. As it prints, the printer’s nozzle heats up and extrudes a material (plastic filament) in thin layers. As the nozzle moves, it deposits the material, which cools and solidifies almost immediately. The printer gradually builds the object from the bottom up, layer by layer, until the entire model is complete.
Challenges
Reflection
As I began my research journey, the biggest struggle for me was finding the time to go in and actually print my project. The whole year I was under the impression that once I print it, I'm basically done and that it would take me only a day to collect all my data. I kept pushing off the day to finally go in and get it printed for weeks, because I felt like it was really easy to do and I would eventually do it. I never really thought that senioritis would affect me as much but it did, affecting the way I spend my time in class and outside of class.
Once I finally printed out all my parts, I realized that my project is going to take time outside of the class time that I'm given. I had to make sure every part fit together and that all the proportions were correct. As I began assembling my pipette, I learned that I need to focus a lot more of my time towards this project and to stop procrastinating, just because its a "less time-consuming" project. Additionally, I have learned a lot more about how 3D printing truly works and the additive proccess it goes through to form my parts. The 3D model is then processed by slicing software, which breaks the model into thin horizontal layers and generates the instructions (G-code) for the printer on how to build each layer
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