Project Evolution
Early Versions Used Lego Mindstorms
- 3-axis version provided cuvettes only
- Constructed with 1 Lego set plus specialized parts
- 4-axis version added 96 well plate
- Required >1 Lego set
Other Approaches We Explored
- Lego Mindstorms
- Brick Pi instead of Lego Brick
- Laser Cut Plastic
- Arduino Microprocessor
- BBC micro:bit User Control
- MakeCode for Student Programming Environment
- Each had pros and cons
- What we needed was a "bigger" Arduino
Latest Versions
- Laser cut plastic
- Arduino Mega handles both back end and user interface
- 1 motor per axis (3-axis and 4-axis versions in use)
- Low level code combines C, Javascript, and Python
- Student code is written in Snap! (similar to Scratch)
- 3-axis supports 8 cuvettes and a 96 well plate, with prompts to manually move tray on non-automated X axis
- 4-axis supports 16 cuvettes and a 96 well plate, with full automation