The Bioprinter is a modified MakerBot Thing-O-Matic (2010) designed for 3D printing biological materials instead of plastic. By replacing the standard extruder with a peristaltic pump and utilizing open-source software, this setup allows for precise deposition of biological substances onto petri dishes. The system is ideal for experimental biofabrication, microbial patterning, and DIY biohacking projects.
- Base Pr
7D4A
inter: MakerBot Thing-O-Matic (2010) with:
- Arduino ATMega 1280
- MightyBoard v2.4
- ECB 3.6 electronics board
- Extruder Replacement:
- Remove the standard stepper motor and plastic extruder.
- Install a peristaltic pump with a stepper motor, such as this one: 12V-24V Peristaltic Pump.
- ReplicatorG 0040: The control software for sending G-code to the printer.
- Download: http://replicat.org/
- Processing: A programming environment used to design and generate patterns for printing.
- Download: https://processing.org/
- Materials Needed:
- Square petri dishes (120mm x 120mm) or rounded glass petri dishes (200mm O.D., 20mm H)
- LB agar medium (DIY recipe below)
- DIY LB Medium Agar Recipe:
- 52.5g beef powder (e.g., Knorr meat soup cubes)
- 1L water
- 21g sugar
- 37.5g agar
- Mix and pour into yogurt crystal jars, filling 1/3 of each.
- Cover loosely with aluminum foil or caps.
- Place jars in a pressure cooker with water and a support grid to prevent spilling.
- Autoclave for 15-20 minutes after reaching full pressure.
- Successfully Grown Bacteria:
- Micrococcus luteus (yellow)
- Micrococcus aurantiacus (orange)
- Micrococcus roseus (pink)
- Jacinthobacterium violaceum (purple)
- Create a custom Processing script to generate the desired pattern.
- Save background images in the "data" folder within the Processing script directory.
- Open ReplicatorG 0040 and configure the machine:
- Select Machine Type: Thingomatic w/HBP and Stepstruder MK7
- Choose the correct USB port (e.g.,
/dev/tty/usb.serial-A600euUF) - Connect the printer
- Load the G-code file generated from Processing
- Start the print job
If using a MacBook Pro (2017) with macOS Sierra 10.9 or older, additional drivers may be required:
- Arduino Drivers: Download Arduino-1.8.5
- FTDI USB Serial Driver: Download v2.4.2
- CH340G Driver (for non-original ATMega 1280): Download from GitHub
- Alternative Firmware: Sailfish Installer
- Start ReplicatorG and calibrate:
File -> Scripts -> Calibration -> Thing-O-Matic_calibration.gcode - Load and start your print job.
- Observe the bioprinter deposit biological material onto the prepared petri dishes.
Special thanks to the contributors:
- Vanessa Lorenzo - Concept & Design Engineering
- Javier Villaroel - IT Assitance Media Lab Prado Madrid
- Richard Timsi - Troubleshooting Hackuarium Lausanne
- Daniel Petrosemoli - Makerspace Technician Media Lab Prado Madrid
For more information, visit: Bioprinter - Hybridoa Pr(ink)t plastic its fantastic
Enjoy experimenting with bioprinting!