3D printing of the connector

We first tried to print only the connector of the double cap.

We performed it at the Hackuarium, with the help of Sam Sulaimanov from Octanis, with a Prusa Mendel I3 as 3D printer. It uses the “Fused Deposit Modeling” method. This technique involves melting a plastic filament (usually ABS or PLA) through a nozzle heated to a temperature between 160 and 270°C.

To print the connector, we used PLA filament. This polymer is entirely biodegradable.

We used Cura (free software) to define the caracteristics of the printing :

The 3D printed connector (thickness 1mm)

 
Although the piece is not very smooth because of the technology of 3D printer we use, the expected dimensions are respected, after verification with a caliper . So this method is precise enough for the connector making, despite its small dimensions.
 

The printing took 11min, for 0.46 meter of filament (1gram). The price, estimated from the cost of a spool of filament, is about 0.04CHF. We must add the price of the two vials, that is to say 0.54CHF.

 

We then have to glue the connector between two preexisting vial caps.

The obtained double cap

 

After having glued the two preexisting caps with the connector, we can make some tests.

We position the tip of the connector in front of the start of the screw pitch of the cap. As expected, the aluminum seal is pierced after we started to screw.

 

This proposition presents a disadvantage : we have to find a glue which resists to water, is strong enough and hermetic. For example, with Patex glue, the device was broken after about 20 uses.

We can also estimate that because it is in three parts, it is less hermetic.

 

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