Rocket Socket (V1)

thingiverse

The Rocket Socket has been developed to provide better handling within the laminar flow of any research laboratory, especially cell biology laboratories. They can be easily assembled together in any desired configuration, but are also simple to remove with just one hand by lifting one out of the assembly. Even a person with limited dexterity can move the entire unit with a bit of tension across the assembly. They should be made from PLA to withstand 70% ethanol. If "PLA ingeo 3D850 Biopolymer" is used, they are autoclavable and can withstand temperatures up to 125°C. The calculated material cost of a single cube is about 2.50 CHF or 2 Euro with the above-mentioned PLA, making it easy to replace if damaged or lost. Their strength lies in their multi-use: A single cube can store either a 50 ml or a 15 ml falcon tube and four smaller tubes at the same time, like 1 ml or 2 ml Eppendorf tubes or 1.2 – 5 ml cryotubes, but also pens and tweezers, etc. If you turn them around, there is even space for five 200 ul PCR tubes. Unlike other cubes on the market, no turning is required, and no sliding through of smaller Eppis is necessary because you don't have the right rack beside you, and a much higher usable space per cm2 is achieved. More space inside the laminar flow means better air flow and therefore more security for your samples and yourself. Small holes at the sloped bottom of every fitting allow fluids to flow out and make cleaning up easy by just rinsing through with ethanol, providing better ventilation for wet tube tips and avoiding fluid deposition that can lead to fouling and bacteria accumulation. In general, a 10% filling is sufficient for all printers, no rim or raft is needed. A 2 mm wall thickness is sufficient. After the printing process: a. As soon as the cube is printed, you can take it out and place it in the oven at 100°C for one hour to make it autoclavable. Use only PLA Ingeo or other modified PLA versions. Normal PLA will melt at 60°C already! Do not stick multiple cubes together for the oven step or autoclave step, as this will distort them. A separate underlying surface should be very flat while heating. Take it out from the oven on/with the underlying surface and let it cool down for one hour before touching it! b. Autoclave the cube if desired (also on a separate flat surface you can place your Rocket Sockets on for autoclaving). c. Let it cool down first for one hour. d. Enjoy the comfort in your laminar flow and tell your coworkers or friends if you like it!