HYKYHT: A versatile, affordable, and open-source 3D-printed liquid aspiration system
Description
This paper aims to provide the details for making affordable single and multichannel liquid aspirators for wet labs. A liquid aspirator is a basic laboratory device that can cost several hundred Euros. We present a < €25 3D print solution that performs equally well in daily lab routines and is compatible with various vacuum sources, including an aquarium pump or household vacuum cleaner. Presently, a commercial aspirator costs (median) more than a decent entry-level 3D printer capable of producing all the parts listed in this manuscript. The models were designed with Tinkercad, with easy printing and minimal support in mind. The versatility and the ultra-low-cost solution we presented could ease the daily workflow of researchers in various research fields. Furthermore, it is valuable to high school or undergraduate student labs and community wet labs for science enthusiasts, where funding is generally limited.
Files
Steps to reproduce
We created the 3D models using TinkerCAD and exported them as stereolithography (STL) files. These STL files were then processed using Cura (Ultimaker, Utrecht, Netherlands) for slicing and printed using an Ender 2 Pro 3D printer (Creality 3D, Shenzhen, China) during the prototyping phase. Once the models were finalized, the ultimate STL files were sliced using Bambu Studio (Bambu Lab GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany) and printed on a X1C or P1P 3D printer (Bambu Lab) for verification. All models were sliced and printed with a 0.4 mm nozzle, 0.2 mm layer height, 3 wall counts, and 3 bottom and top layers. While support may be recommended for specific models, it is not mandatory. In cases where a brim is necessary, an additional 0.2 mm high brim layer is included in the STL file, and versions without the extra brim layer are also accessible in the repository for user convenience.