Low-cost plate shaker

We needed an inexpensive and compact plate shaker for our anaerobic chamber. The Crickit Lab Shaker, remixed by DotScott1, was the perfect inspiration!

I modified the original Crickit project to use the same inexpensive electronics as DotScott1's remix, but with a few modifications to fit our needs. The case is changed from three parts to two, with the entire upper part of the case a single print, and with all of the electronics mounted to the top. The bottom case panel now includes places to press-fit neodymium magnets to help prevent the shaker from moving around, and can be screwed firmly into the top case with countersunk machine screws. There's now also a nifty printed 'volume' indicator for the PWM potentiometer. :)

To save space in the incubator, these are all powered off of an Amazon USB charger with right-angle USB connectors. I tested to ensure that the charger would supply up to the 1.2 A stall torque for the DC gearmotor.

Check the included Excel spreadsheet for order links and prices.

Print instructions

Category: Biology Summary

We needed an inexpensive and compact plate shaker for our anaerobic chamber. The Crickit Lab Shaker, remixed by DotScott1, was the perfect inspiration!

I modified the original Crickit project to use the same inexpensive electronics as DotScott1's remix, but with a few modifications to fit our needs. The case is changed from three parts to two, with the entire upper part of the case a single print, and with all of the electronics mounted to the top. The bottom case panel now includes places to press-fit neodymium magnets to help prevent the shaker from moving around, and can be screwed firmly into the top case with countersunk machine screws. There's now also a nifty printed 'volume' indicator for the PWM potentiometer. :)

To save space in the incubator, these are all powered off of an Amazon USB charger with right-angle USB connectors. I tested to ensure that the charger would supply up to the 1.2 A stall torque for the DC gearmotor.

Check the included Excel spreadsheet for order links and prices.

Print Settings

Printer:

Railcore II 300ZL

Rafts:

Yes

Resolution:

15%

Filament: Prusament PETG Carmine Red

Notes:

All parts were printed without supports, except for the linkages. Note that you need two idler linkages per shaker!

Post-Printing

Assembly is pretty straightforward, and mostly follows the instructions from the original Adafruit build. I used nuts, washers, and blue Loctite for all screws except the blind-end holes for mounting the base and the circuit board.