Test tube-rocker/shaker

[dezso]

Yesterday was searching all over the web for replacement vials, cant find any decent price, specially the ones with ml marking are expensive.
On one of the page I found a commercial/medical tube mixer/shaker.

This morning I set up to make my version of it
10 hr later, 2 failed prototype, 2 more broken vials, 1 broken drill bit, some band-aide on my finger I have a working model.
Its not finished YET, but this one works.

The motor underneath is from a old video game controller, the motor RPM and direction change ~randomly in every 200 ms to 800ms, a single drop of calcium test will mix instantly. in my previous version the glue did not hold to long so this one is JBwelded.
The whole unit is sit on 4 rubber hose.
I'll try to make some video in the next few days, unfortunately have to work on this weekend.

 

[Mitchell0605]

Cool.

 

[Etunes]

Well this is cool, BUT what is the point of shaking the test tubes as you could shake them manually. I mean is it is just for fun and good job but i was just curious.

 

[cmor1701d]

Cool little project. I too wonder why when mixing is usually only for 10 - 30 seconds.

As for marked vials, forget about them. The markings are generally not accurate. Get yourself a 5ml syringe at the pharmacy and fill the vials using that.

 

[dezso]

For calcium, magnesium, alkalinity test I have to dose it by drop by drop, this way don't need to shake it by hand. Call me lazy

 

[mfdrookie516]

I can see where this would come in handy... I think it would be of better use if you somehow figured out how to mount the #2 nitrate test solution bottle... shaking that is usually a pain!

 

[dezso]

Just have to drill a bigger hole for the bottle.

 

[corrado33]

Along the same lines, I was debating making a robotic arm to do all of my testing for me

 

[dezso]

Asimo can conduct an orchestra, I'm sure he could do your testing for $1000000/month

 

[Mitchell0605]