Tetrode Machine.pages

SpikeGadgets
Tetrode Machine
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1. Overview
The tetrode bundler is a tool designed to improve tetrode
manufacturing in the lab by making it faster and more consistent. By
automating the process, a researcher with minimal training can
produce multiple tetrodes per minute while reducing breakages and
increasing usable yield.
This guide will help you set up the automated tetrode bundler and
run through basic operation.
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2. Assembly
The tetrode bundler will require some minor assembly when received. These
instructions will demonstrate how to:
- mount the spool posts
- secure the clip and spooling posts
I.
a.
Mounting the Spool Posts
b.
a. No posts in place.
b. Posts screwed in (no spools).
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II. Securing the Clip and Spooling Slots
The spooling and clip slots are separate assemblies that serve different purposes:
the clip slot lets the user clip the tetrode wires in place for twisting and annealing,
while the spooling assembly is necessary to get wire on the provided spools.
We will first cover how to secure the clip slot. The tetrode bundler will use those
assemblies the vast majority of the time, but one will have to be swapped out in
order to spool.
i. Clip Slot
c.
c. Motor stage without clip or spooling assembly.
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d.
e.
d. Clip slot inserted on motor shaft.
e. Tighten M2 screw using screwdriver.
Make sure the clip slot is tightened such that it is perpendicular with the ground to
prevent lateral wobble during rotation.
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ii. Spool Assembly
f.
g.
f. Spooling slot inserted on motor shaft.
e. Tighten M2 screw using screwdriver.
Make sure the spooling slot is tightened such that it is perpendicular with the
ground to prevent lateral wobble during rotation.
h.
i.
h. Spooling slider inserted into spooling slot.
i. 3” spooling peg screwed onto spooling bracket.
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j.
k.
l.
j. Bottom bearing assembly slid onto spooling peg.
k. Wire spool slid onto bearing assembly.
l. Top bearing assembly slid onto spooling peg. Secure bearing to peg with a 2mm
hex wrench.
m.
m. Spooling assembly ready for use.
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3. Operation
Before delving into use of the bundler, let’s cover the basic user interface:
The button on every station can be used to initiate the bundling and spooling
programs, and pause or reset the current program.
Start
Pressing the button will trigger the bundling program. The light on the button will
remain ‘on’ for the portion of the program that the machine is active (i.e not paused
by the user).
Pause
Pressing the button during any phase will ‘pause’ the machine. While it is possible
to pause the machine during the annealing phase, this is not recommended since it
will produce crooked tetrodes (even heating is key). At this point, it is best to simply
start a new tetrode. When paused, the button light will flash quickly.
Reset
Holding the button for >2 seconds will either trigger a reset or begin the spooling
program depending on the previous state of the machine. When depressed for >2
seconds, the button light will begin flashing rapidly to indicate that the user is about
to initiate a reset or spooling program. If reset, the heat gun will return to its starting
position. During the reset and spooling programs, the button light will flash slowly to
indicate the state of the machine.
Programming
Depending on the type of electrode wire you are using, you may want to modify the
number of rotations up or down that the tetrode is twisted. To do so, plug the
Arduino into a computer with the Arduino IDE installed and open the serial monitor.
Follow the instructions there to modify spin values.
To install the Arduino IDE, go to:
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
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Once the software is installed and launched, the computer should auto-detect
when the Arduino is plugged in. If it does not, follow these steps to connect
manually:
Tools > Board > Mega 2560
Tools > Processor > ATmega2560
Tools > Port > ‘whichever the Arduino is plugged into’
The port dropdown will usually indicate which one is relevant but if it is
confusing, try unplugging the Arduino and selecting Tools > Port again to see
which port is no longer on the list.
Note: The Arduino’s USB port can be difficult to access. The Arduino itself is
underneath the tetrode machine’s custom board. The port faces towards the front
of the machine and uses a USB type B.
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I.
Spooling the Wire
Before making any tetrodes, you must spool your chosen wire onto the provided
reels. In order to do so, follow these steps:
Note: Out of the box, the spooling program will spool 400 rotations of the pulley at
1 Hz. This value can be changed using the Arduino IDE.
a.
b.
a. Loosen shoulder screw using 2mm hex wrench to leave a small amount of space
between spools.
b. Slide tetrode wire between spools.
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c.
d.
c. Tighten shoulder screw using 2mm hex wrench.
d. Begin spooling program and guide electrode wire into spool groove.
e.
f.
e. Once program has completed, begin spooling program again and guide
electrode wire into remaining spool’s groove.
f. Cut electrode wire and remove assembly from slider by unscrewing shoulder
screw with a 2mm hex wrench.
(At this point, it is also helpful to cut the wire that connects both spools.)
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g.
h.
g. Place spools and shoulder screw back onto pegs using a 2mm hex wrench.
h. Spools and shoulder screws back in place.
i.
j.
Thread electrode wires through pinching mechanism by pulling the spacer back
with one hand (i) and releasing it ones the wires are in place to secure them (j).
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II. Making Tetrodes
Once you have spooled your chosen electrode wire onto the provided reels, you
may proceed with making tetrodes. The following steps will guide you through the
process.
Note: Out of the box, the bundling program will spin up 200 rotations and spin
down 66 rotations at 2 Hz. These values can be changed using the Arduino IDE.
k.
l.
k. Pull back pinching mechanism with one hand and use the other to pull through
enough electrode wire to make a tetrode (it should hang slightly below the height of
the resting heat gun, this may take a little practice).
l. Pinching mechanism holding tetrode wires.
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m.
n.
m. Use one hand to lift and open the clip and the other to slide in tetrode wires.
This should be done after smoothing out wires to make sure they are the same
length.
n. Release clip.
Critical Steps:
The previous two steps will largely dictate the quality of your tetrode.
The assembly should be hanging ~3mm below the bottom of the heat gun.
The twisting of the wires will pull up the clips and you do not want it hitting the
bottom of the gun.
Only one of the clips can be used to hold the wire, it is easiest to use when it is
facing the user. Feel free to rotate the clips into position for ease of access.
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o.
p.
o. Begin spooling program.
p. Once program is over, cut tetrode around the heat gun’s midpoint (it can
shortened further).
q.
q. Open clips to clear remaining wire.
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Congratulations! You’ve made your first tetrode using the
tetrode bundler!
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