diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 23d09219d63b0e5556520ba861fb7e7d296fdd59..47201a89c4ae610f0a924ec243d6dc86d05616b6 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -2,6 +2,9 @@ In order generate mass production of swabs, this attempt try to avoid complex shapes only possible to made with a 3d printer. Besides, its mass production forces to have a farm of printers. An extrusion is proposed to generate section constant swabs, trying to fulfill all requirements of **collection sufficiency** and **flexibiity requirements**. +## status +This project has been shelved as other swab efforts seem more promising and are further along. + ## Geometry proposal Based on the shapes that plastic swabs have, I want to try the strategy of generate thin walls of plastic instead of replicate hairs. Those thin walls could have more capacity of holds liquids samples as well as more area to viruses get attached to them. As they are so thin, they will be soft enough to flex as needed. @@ -64,4 +67,20 @@ A closed loop heating system is needed in the exterior of the shaft, the green e TBD, have a call with Sam asking about his zipping extruder. -# WIP +## Test + +A test die was wire-EDMed out of 12 mm aluminum plate using 150 um brass wire: + + + + + +The die was clamped to the machine using a crossbar: + + + +This did not work well as polypropylene leaked out between the die and the injection molding machine. A second test die was fabricated to fit without clamps: + + + +This version did not leak, but the extrusion profile did not work well; the center diameter was too large, resulting in a round extrusion with minimal fin features. After a few seconds the die also cooled enough to freeze. Further attempts were abandoned as other swab-making efforts pulled ahead. diff --git a/images/edm.mp4 b/images/edm.mp4 new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..60fc47b7eba82e7a1c212f27ed4a07b33df0c2c8 Binary files /dev/null and b/images/edm.mp4 differ diff --git a/images/testdie-clamped.jpg b/images/testdie-clamped.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..b593428e186f0732c2faca12d9fb12c616614111 Binary files /dev/null and b/images/testdie-clamped.jpg differ diff --git a/images/testdie-mounted.jpg b/images/testdie-mounted.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..1c470ab5b92eeb26f8182d455773be2430ffc59e Binary files /dev/null and b/images/testdie-mounted.jpg differ diff --git a/images/testdie.jpg b/images/testdie.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..3966911424024218824af77349206d45a3cf9e28 Binary files /dev/null and b/images/testdie.jpg differ