FINDUS: An Open-Source 3D Printable Liquid-Handling Workstation for Laboratory Automation in Life Sciences
Strong open-source workstation reference with reported pipetting error metrics; useful comparator to OTTO/digital pipette.
- Year
- 2020
- Skill
- medium
- Docs
- moderate
- Rubric
- 3.2 / 5
Implementation assessment
Scoring by criterion
Scores describe accessibility and implementation characteristics reported in the reviewed source. They are not a measure of scientific quality.
Resolution
Minimum volume evidence about 90 uL.
Scalability/Throughput
Evidence of parallel, plate-scale, multi-head, or unattended operation.
Build and Part Sourcing Complexity
Mix of common parts and custom/printed components.
Skill Complexity
Build/operation described as low-skill or basic assembly.
Equipment/Cosumable/Facility Requirement Accessibility
Requires specialized facilities, equipment, or consumables.
Application Level
Application scope appears narrow or proof-of-concept.
Accessibility to documentation
Open resources include several build or operation artifacts.
Validation/Troubleshooting Complexity
Validation includes standards, benchmarking, replicates, or multi-condition tests.
Speed/Cycle Time
Speed evidence suggests rapid, real-time, or automated operation.
Build Time
Build time not reported; assigned neutral score.
Linked tools
Record metadata
Publication data
Crossref and OpenAlex
Publication record
Abstract
3D-printed laboratory devices can enable ambitious research purposes even at a low-budget level. To follow this trend, here we describe the construction, calibration, and usage of the FINDUS (Fully Integrable Noncommercial Dispensing Utility System). We report the successful 3D printing and assembly of a liquid-handling workstation for less than $400. Using this setup, we achieve reliable and flexible liquid-dispensing automation with relative pipetting errors of less than 0.3%. We show our system is well suited for several showcase applications from both the biology and chemistry fields. In support of the open-source spirit, we make all 3D models, assembly instructions, and source code available for free download, rebuild, and modification.
Bibliographic details
Access and metrics
Topics and keywords
Funding
- johannes gutenberg-universität mainz
Perspective and practical signals
Why it matters
Strong open-source workstation reference with reported pipetting error metrics; useful comparator to OTTO/digital pipette.
Limitations
No limitation note curated yet.