Hi Everyone,
Sorry for the naive questions but here goes:
I am a plant biologist and professor running a research program trying to gain a better understanding of arctic plant biology. I built a scientific instrument based on a small open builds 2 axis DIY CNC machine. The instrument measures O2 flux in 192 small sample tubes operating as 4 x 48 tubes, each block controlled to a specific temperature. We used a raspberry Pi to interface with the open builds controller and move a fluorescence detector over each tube in sequence to quantify [O2].
Although I don’t have a a lot of experience with this sort of thing it worked great and the instrument is proving to very helpful in my research program and is being used by several students. Now I would like to make a second generation machine, but have run into the issue that open builds shut down. I came across Sienci Labs as a recommended alternative, but need help to assess just how likely it is to transport our software interface and/or general approach to this new platform. I would be so greatful for any community advice - again we are real beginners and nothing is too basic. We sort things out to reach defined goals and have been successful with this approach, but my understanding of the basics of CNC and the interface we need to create has been a strictly learn as we go approach with a well defined goals in mind. Thanks for your time.
2 Likes
Does your software generate g code? What kind of movements are required? Just something like move to a well at (X,Y), pause, then move again?
Nic
Hello Prof Griffin Sir,
I like to begin with a disclaimer: I am no smartie able to be of much assistance, just intriged.
I’ve read your post and kinda feel I understand your overal goal to take your old idea and turn it into a newer, better machine. I tried to come up with solutions but because I am no scientist (disclaimer) nor biologist, I miss some intel to dream up how the original machine, you like to improve on works. A set of unknowns are missing, and though I am in no way able to help you along any path of improvement, my cat is about to die.
Are the blocks of 48 tubes that have their own specific temperature permanently on the O2flux cnc or are they placed on the machine, and need to be measured (quickly) and moved back into their controled enviroment (asap) Or are the samples disgarded after measurement is completed?
The sensor.. I’ve looked a wee into fluorescence detectors on my search engine, but could not get a clear picture on the looks of the sensor and how a sample is measured. It does seem that the sample is in between the proces to break down light into a spectrum, or do I misunderstand the proces and are there units that emit light down and pick up reflected light from the sample? These devices seem expensive, so you prolly have one and suggesting to use 4 in a row to speed up the process would make science-budget-managers turn their emitting spectrum somewhere in the 700nm range, amiright?
It is not clear to me exact what you are asking. Are you looking to build a complete new machine with help from this community or are you trying to find out if the SLB can run the new (and/or even the old) machine.
Have you contacted Sienci support with your questions. Sienci is a company that goes above and beyond and I have the feeling that such a specific project would make a few engineers at sienci have their heart rate go up a few bpm.
Maybe just contacting sienci may be the shortest route to an answer, solution.
Yes, exactly, we simply indicate which cells have samples and where the standards are, then the g-code is sent to the controller and we move through the samples pausing briefly while we flash a red light, record the fluorescence and move on to the next one. This pattern repeats continuously for the duration of the experiment, which it typically 4-18 hours. We then make some of the basic calculations within the software and output the data.
Thanks, yes again you have the basic idea right. Our sensor is connected to fiber optic so we only need to hold the end of the optic a few mm above the top of the tubes and the sensor itself is attached to side of the instrument. It’s a bit pricy but not outrageous. Our calculations come from the rate of change in O2 through time so at this point we don’t need more speed, we sample continuously over several hours. I am intending to build a second, completely separate machine and was hoping to transfer as much as learned from building the first one to the new set up so I guess I was asking if this group had any recommendations about using sienci equipment for this application seems reasonable. Again thanks so much for responding. I started with the forum but will follow your advice and reach out directly to sienci
This seems like an easy job for the CNC hardware.
What language is your software programed in?
It sounds like you import the g code file to the machine after your software generates it. Could you use the same software and bring it to the new machine which will be controlled by a sienci board.
Maybe you should try downloading gsender and seeing if you can import the gcode file that your software creates.
Nic
1 Like
Fascinating work and use of a DIY CNC.
Could you clarify that part a little?
A typical project for me would use some design software to plan the project and emit G-code in a format my controller understands, grblHAL in my case. Then I use a separate program, gSender by Sienci Labs to setup the machine and execute the G-code.
Are any of the machines movements tied to the test results or is the CNC machines sole responsibility just moving the sensor and supporting cables.