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Pumpy LEGO parts
The best way to view the pumps and see how they are assembled is by using Lego Digital Designer. This is a 3D application designed by Lego to help people design their own models before building them. We have created several different models for you to view in our Files sections.
There are several alternatives to Lego Digital Designer as well, each with different strengths and weaknesses:
The pumps can either be built as stand-alone pumps or they can be multiplexed as an array.
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The file Single pump.lxf shows a single pump that can be used as is.
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The file Four multiplexed pumps, no top cover.lx shows four of the simple pumps which have been arranged as an array. The major difference is that a few support plates were added which allows the pumps to be rigidly attached to each other.
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The support plates are shown separately in the file Support Plates.lxf and were designed to make the array more rigid and easier to move around.
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To be able to stack arrays vertically, or to add a cover to the arrays, a few support structures need to be added to the pumps. The file Single pump, with multiplexing supports.lxf shows a single pump with these supports added.
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Once these supports have been added, a cover can be added. We use the same combination of plates as in Support Plates.lxf. This is shown in the file Four multiplexed pumps with top cover.lxf. Instead of the cover, one may simple stack another array on top, as shown in the file Eight multiplexed pumps.lxf.
We tend to make arrays of four because:
- If longer, these tend to be unwieldy and not rigid enough
- Our controllers can control sets of four by default (see the electronics section for more information).
Rubber bands are an integral part of the pumps. We use them to help keep syringes in place when they are loaded on the pumps. It's important to buy a bag of rubber bands ahead of time.