48-Well Magnetic Separator

thingiverse

I'm running a high-throughput experiment on paramagnetic beads and realized that I needed a magnet that would fit into a 96-well plate. Commercial versions can be quite expensive, with prices ranging from $400 for a single unit. This led me to look for alternative options that could do the job at a lower cost. I discovered that using a 48-well plate format can achieve similar results for about $15 worth of magnets and some filament. The Dynabead M280s work well in this setup, pulling up on the sides of the wells quickly and efficiently even with small volumes of 10uL. To make this design more accessible, I created a model using Tinkercad. Feel free to remix or modify it as needed. Here are the print settings used: Printer: Monoprice Select Mini Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.2mm Infill: 20% After printing, attaching the magnets is a straightforward process. I designed this part to use 5/16"x5/16" N48 cylinder magnets from Apex Magnets. These magnets are relatively common and should be easily available online. When handling these magnets, be aware that they can chip easily, so handle them with care unless absolutely necessary. For attaching the magnets to the printed part, I found that using cyanoacrylate wasn't sufficient, so I switched to a two-part epoxy. To assemble the magnet holder: Lay out the magnets on a flat metal sheet in the correct pattern and test fit with the printed part. Prepare the epoxy and apply it to the printed part where the magnets will be attached. Be cautious not to add too much, as this can interfere with the plate wells. Invert the printed part and attach it to the magnets, allowing the epoxy to cure completely.