High School Biotech Equipment

Overview

Three pieces of equipment designed for Carlmont High School's biotechnology department in 2024, covering steps in the workflow where the commercial hardware was either unavailable or too expensive for the department's budget. Each was modelled in CAD and 3D printed. The cuvette tray and gel electrophoresis rig are published as STEP files.

PCR thermocycler

The largest of the three. A heated sample block sits under a separately heated lid, which rides on linear guides so it can be lifted clear for loading and clamped down during a run. Heating and cooling hardware sits on a plate below the block, with a fan on the enclosure wall for the ramp-down between stages. A 16×2 LCD and two buttons on the front panel handle cycle programming and status readout.

Gel electrophoresis rig

A printed gel box sized to fit miniPCR gel casts. It runs from a 9V battery or bench supply mounted underneath, switched by an SPDT slide switch that drops into a slot in the body. Copper electrodes are wired into holes at each end of the gel tray. The recess and electrode spacing are dimensioned around the miniPCR cast so an existing gel can be dropped straight in.

Cuvette tray

A rack for standard 3.5 mL UV-Vis cuvettes up to 13 mm wide. Pockets are open-bottomed so a cuvette can be pushed up from below rather than pinched at the rim, and the raised tabs at each end give a grip point for moving a loaded tray.

Design notes

• Thermocycler: heated sample block, separately heated lid on linear guides, fan-assisted cooling
• Thermocycler control panel: 16×2 LCD and two buttons for cycle programming
• Gel rig: 9V battery or bench supply, SPDT slide switch, copper electrodes at each end of the tray
• Gel rig dimensioned to accept miniPCR gel casts
• Cuvette tray: standard 3.5 mL UV-Vis cuvettes, up to 13 mm wide
• All parts 3D printed; STEP files published for the tray and gel rig