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Converting a plastic printer into a bioprinter
When converting a plastic 3D printer into a bioprinter there are a sequence of steps that generally occur in the same order (Fig. 1). First, the electronics and control system of the plastic printer either need to be adapted to bioprinting through modification, or they need to be replaced with an alternative. The proprietary FlashForge Finder motion control circuit board (Fig. 2A, green rectangle) is replaced with the open-source Duet 2 WiFi motion control circuit board (Fig. 2B, blue rectangle). This is done to improve the motion control performance, provide WiFi access, and to facilitate rapid firmware customization through the Duet web-based interface without needing to use additional software. The step-by-step instructions for this process are laid out for the FlashForge Finder and can be adapted for most desktop 3D printers (details provided in the supplemental assembly guide, Supplementary Figs. S1–S15, and provided Duet2 WiFi configuration files). Next, the thermoplastic extruder that came with the printer is replaced with the Replistruder 4, an open-source, high-performance syringe pump extruder we have previously developed14. Most parts of the Replistruder 4 are readily 3D printed out of plastic and assembled using commonly available hardware (Fig. 2C). A carriage platform was designed to fit on the existing linear motion components of the printer and provide a mounting point for the Replistruder 4. This X-axis carriage has pockets for the bearings already mounted on the X-axis linear rails as well as channels for routing and retaining the X-axis belt that drives motion along the axis. Additionally, four mounting points with recessed M3 hex nuts are incorporated to allow the Replistruder 4 to be attached to the X-axis carriage (Fig. 2D). The thermoplastic printhead that comes pre-installed on the Finder is replaced with the X-axis carriage/Replistruder 4 assembly (Fig. 2E,F , details in supplemental…
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