The Problem
The lab needed an improved electrospinning apparatus for the creation of piezoelectric film for use in a digital stethoscope. The old setup (shown below) did not allow for careful control of all the spinning parameters such as humidity, spinning speed and electrical insulation of the system from its surroundings.
Requirements
- Enclosure to control humidity
- All electrically conductive components inside enclosure other than collector drum must be covered with insulating material
- 6” metal collector drum must spin smoothly at 3000 rpm with minimal vibration
- Needle must move from side to side in a slot in side of enclosure
- Distance between needle and drum must be adjustable
- Budget: $2000
Sketching
First Iteration
Second Iteration
Final Design
I fabricated the enclosure using a laser cutter, then mounted everything on an ABS sheet with rubber feet on the bottom to dampen vibrations. I also designed other parts of this apparatus such as the flanges for the drum collector and the plate to connect the pump to the linear actuator. The new setup works very well.