Designing a Cost-Efficient Belt-Driven 3D-Printed Syringe Pump

Abstract

In biotechnology, biomedicine, and bioengineering research, precise liquid transfer and control are essential. Laboratories depend on diverse pumps and fluid control systems, with syringe pumps emerging as a preferred option due to their compatibility with biological fluids. Due to the high cost and limited customization options in existing commercial syringe pumps, researchers have begun designing their own custom devices, utilizing the expanding 3D printing technology and open-source electronics. Nevertheless, 3D-printed pumps often integrate metal components such as lead screws and rods to create linear drives, leading to heightened costs and increased overall weight. Furthermore, lead screws can introduce backlash errors, affecting precision due to play between the threads of the nut. In this study, a 3D-printed syringe pump design is introduced based on the belt drive method, with a focus on minimizing the incorporation of metal components. Not only is cost reduction achieved by new design, but it also results in a lighter syringe pump while minimizing backlash errors. A sensitivity below 10 microliters, a cost of less than $41, and a weight under 250 grams were achieved by the newly designed pump. The effort to develop a 3D-printed custom syringe pump, which reduces reliance on external sources, particularly in constrained environments, is strengthened by the reduction of dependency on metal parts and the increased utilization of 3D printed components.