A high-performance four-material fully-custom bioprinter assembled from IKO linear stages, Duet3 motion control board, independent Z actuation for each Replistruder 5, and a resolution down to 1 µm.

System Specifications: 

• XYZ Travel Limits: 560x400x120 mm
• Build Volume: 300x300x120 mm
• XYZ Stages: IKO TU50G54AT122G5S09, IKO TU50S38AT122G5S09, IKO TU50G30AT122G5S09
• *All stages have 5 mm Lead, 10 mm Dia, 2 µm repeatability, 3 µm backlash, and 20 µm accuracy over full travel
• Z Substages: 4 independent IKO TU30S18AT125G5S09
• Extruders: 4 Replistruder 5 Thin open-source syringe pumps
• Stage Travel Speed: 150 mm/s with Stepper, 500 mm/s with Servo
• Assembled Travel Speed: 100 mm/s @ 1000 mm/s2
• Stepper Motors: Oriental Motor PKP246MD15A2 0.9º for XY axis, PKP243MD15M with brake for Z, PKP225MD15A for substages, PKP223D15A-SG18 for extruder
• Electronics: Duet3 6HC, two 3HC Expansion Boards, tool distribution board, 1XC Expansion Board, 1LC Tool Board
• Biosafety Cabinet: Sterile printing within an enclosed environment custom designed by Air Science

A custom bioprinter built using four Parker Hannefin 404 × R 100 mm travel precision stages in a gantry configuration (8 µm travel accuracy verified using Mitutoyo absolute digimatic indicator 543–792) mounted to an aluminum baseplate (www.worldofclamping.com). The printer utilizes two custom Replistruder 5 syringe pumps built with high-precision metric leadscrews (www. McMaster.com) and compact Nema 11 motors with planetary gearsets (www.stepperonline.com); both were mounted to the Z stage. A dovetail adapter was designed, 3D printed from polylactic acid (PLA) plastic, and mounted to the Z stage to receive an optional OCT scanhead (Thorlabs), which was controlled with its own dedicated computer. The X, Y, and Z axes as well as the two extruders were controlled using a Duet 3 motion controller with a Raspberry Pi 4 single board computer dedicated for the user interface.

A MakerGear M2 Rev E plastic 3D printer was modified into a 3D bioprinter. The entire plastic extrusion apparatus was removed and replaced with a mount capable of holding two custom designed Replistruder 4 syringe pumps. The control board of the printer was replaced with a Duet 2 WiFi board with a PanelDue 5i touch screen controller (Duet3D, UK). The Duet WiFi board utilizes a preinstalled RepRapFirmware and is compatible with all open-source 3D printing software. This board, in conjunction with the Replistruder 4 syringe pumps, allows for automated two material printing. When the material is switched during multi-material printing, a G-Code script is automatically executed that removes the active dispense tip from the support bath, switches the active tool to the next material, moves that tool to its origin (which is the measured offset to the other tool), and then resumes printing with the new material.

The FlashForge Finder is a low‑cost 3D printer that we convert into a bioprinter using our Replistruder 4 syringe pump and the Duet3D Duet2 WiFi for total cost of less than $900. The accuracy of the bioprinter’s travel is better than 35 μm in all three axes and print fidelity of collagen scaffolds is achieved with average errors less than 2%. We have previously published step-by-step instructions for the FlashForge Finder and how additional printers can be adapted from most desktop3D printers

The Duet 2 adds many advanced motion control improvements including (i) a 32-bit electronic controller, (ii) high performance Trinamic TMC2260 stepper controllers, (iii) improved motion control with up to 256 × microstepping for 5 axes, (iv) high motor current output of 2.8 A to generate higher power, (v) an onboard microSD card reader for firmware storage and file transfer, and (vi) expansion boards adding compatibility for 5 additional axes, servo controllers, extruder heaters, up to 16 extra I/O connections, and support for a Raspberry Pi single board computer. Additionally, the online Duet 2 WiFi setup and support documentation is thorough, regularly updated, and backed up by an active user forum.

The BionovaX is a commerical DLP-based bioprinter from CellInk. It enables DLP 3D bioprinting directly to multi well plates, up to 96 wells, ideal for high throughput applications.

System Specifications:

• Resolution of 10μm features in XY and Z-precision (motor driven) ​of 4 μm to achieve model microarchitecture, vasculature, and complex geometries.
• Uses a 405nm light source at 4 – 16 mW/cm² ​ to ensure minimal damage to cells during printing.
• Provides optimal printing conditions for bioinks and cells with onboard temperature control.
• Multi-stiffness and Multi-material compatibility
• Compatible with a range of photocrosslinkable bioinks such as PEGDA, GelMA, HAMA, Photo-Alginate, etc.
• Max build volume in a 6-well plate of 19 mm x 10 mm x 9 mm
• UV-C (270±10 nm) sterilization of chamber​

Form 3B+ Desktop 3D Printer Designed for Healthcare

The Prusa i3 MK3S+ is an award winning FDM 3D printer with SuperPINDA probe for improved first layer calibration, added high-quality bearings, heatbed with removable PEI spring steel print sheets, automatic Mesh Bed Leveling, filament sensor, power loss recovery (power panic) and safety features.

System Specifications: 

• Build Volume: 25×21×21 cm (9.84″×8.3″×8.3″)
• Layer Height: 0.05 – 0.35 mm
• Nozzel Size: 0.4mm inner diameter
• Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm
• Supported Materials: PLA, PETG, ASA, ABS, PC (Polycarbonate), CPE, PVA/BVOH, PVB, HIPS, PP (Polypropylene), Flex, nGen, Nylon, Carbon filled, Woodfill and other filled materials.
• Max Travel Speed: 200+ mm/s
• Max Nozzle Temp: 300 °C / 572 °F
• Max Bed Temp: 120 °C / 248 °F
• Printer Footprint: 7 kg, 500×550×400 mm; 19.6×21.6×15.7 in (X×Y×Z)

A new high speed FDM 3D printer for rapid prototyping compatible with multi-material printing for color changes and mixed material printing.

System Specifications: 

• Build Volume: 256 × 256 × 256 mm³
• Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm Hardened Bontech High Flow Steel Included
• Max Extruder Temp: 300ºC
• Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm
• Material Compatibility: PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, PVA, PET
  Ideal for PA, PC, Carbon/ Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer
• Max Speed and Acceleration: 500 mm/s @ 20 m/s²
• Multi Color (up to 16) & Multi Material Capability with the AMS system
• High quality printing with 7 μm Lidar Resolution
• High speed CoreXY with 20000 mm/s² Acceleration
• Dual Auto Bed Leveling
• Printer Size: 389 × 389 × 457 mm³

The Peopoly Magneto X is an affordable desktop 3D printer featuring an innovative magnetic-based linear motor system that is able to yield high performance and speed without belts or screw motion control. Additionally, due to the open-source Klipper firmware and comprehensive documentation, the platform provides opportunities for customization and innovation within FDM printing and even bioprinting and linear motion.

System Specifications:

• MagXY Motion System: 3-micron precision with magnetic linear motors in closed loop.
• High-Speed Printing: Up to 800mm/s.
• High Flow Lancer Extrusion Toolhead: up to 65mm³/s flow rate.
• True Closed Loop Control: Real-time print adjustments.
• Advanced Leveling: 48-point load cell sensor leveling.
• Open Source: Fully customizable firmware.
• Print Volume: 400 x 300 x 300 mm
• Max Travel Speed: 1500mm/s
• Maximum Acceleration: 22000mm/s²

Leica STELLARIS 8 DM6 Upright Resonant Scanning Confocal and Multiphoton-Ready Microscope

System Contains:

• Extra-long working distance objectives (63X, 25X, 16X, 10X, 5X, 4X) ideal for live fluorescence imaging and optical clearing applications.
• A confocal point scanning system with an 8 kHz Tandem Resonant-Galvo Scanner, prism-based Power HyD S spectral detection for up to five simultaneously collected fluorescence channels from 400 to 850 nm. The scanhead is Multiphoton ready for future MP upgrade.
• We have 5 visible and near-IR laser lines (405, 488, 561, 638, 730 nm), a motorized XY stage, and a Super Z-galvo stage insert for fast volumetric acquisition.
• The computer running the microscopes is a CUDA Workstation with 128 GB RAM, NVIDIA RTX A4000 22 GB graphics card, 10 TB of storage, and a 37″ curved 4K display optimized for running Leica’s LIGHTNING super-resolution post-processing software.
• Additional imaging modules include: Dynamic Signal Enhancement, FALCON, FRAP, FRET, Image Compass, Navigator, and MicroLab. The system is installed on a TMC active vibration isolation table for stable long-term imaging.

Leica M205 FA THUNDER Imager Model Organism Automated

System Components:

• Built on a Leica M205 FA optics carrier fully motorized with 20.5:1 zoom-magnification, Triple Beam light path, Leica FusionOptics
• Objective Revolver with 0.63x and 1.0x PlanApo Objectives
• Leica K8 backthinned sCMOS camera with 95% QE and 100fps in 11 bit mode
• Leica K3C 6.3 MP color camera idea for slide scanning and immunohistochemistry
• Transmitted light base TL5000 Ergo, LED3 Excitation lamp, DAPI, GFP, DSR, and Cy5 Filters
• Motor Focus drive with 420 mm of travel for optical sectioning
• LMT260 XY-Scanning XY stage for tile scan acquisition
• The computer running the microscopes is a CUDA Workstation with 128 GB RAM, NVIDIA RTX A4000 22 GB graphics card, 10 TB of storage, and a 37″ curved 4K display optimized for running Leica’s Instant Computational Clearing (ICC), Small Volume Computational Clearing (SVCC), and Large Volume Computational Clearing (LVCC) for instantaneous removal of out of focus background.

Zeiss Axiovert 40 CFL with Phase Contrast

System Components:

• 4X, 10X, 20X, and 40X objectives for brightfield and phase contrast imaging
• Manual micropositioning stage
• FLIR BackFly monochrome camera
• Brightfield and epifluorescence illumination sources
• GFP and RFP excitation and emission filter cubes

DMT Wire Myography Systems

System Specifics:

• Small diameter (60-400 µm) vessels contractile force and tensile strength are evaluated on 4-channel multi-wire DMT 610M system. Connected to an ADInstruments Powerlab 800 acquisition system, independent heating and fluid control, and run via LabChart 8 Pro software.
• Larger diameter (500 µm – 2 mm) blood vessels and engineered vascular grafts are evaluated on a 4-channel multi-pin DMT 610M system. Connected to an ADInstruments Powerlab 800 acquisition system, independent heating and fluid control, and run via LabChart 8 Pro software.

DMT Muscle Myography

System Specifications: 

• Engineered or isolated muscle tissue contractile force is measured using a 4-channel multi myograph DMT 620M equipped with 4 organ bath chambers and an Automatic Buffer Filler System – 625FS for the exchange fluid during experiments. Connected to an ADInstruments Powerlab 400 acquisition system, independent heating and fluid control, and run via LabChart 8 Pro software.

DMT and Open Source Myographs

System Specifications:

• A custom open-source pressure myography called HemoLens was built that contains 2 pressure sensors, an overhead camera, micropositioing systems, heated and perfusable bath, a pulastile fluid pump, and the ability to modulate systolic and diastolic pressure during experimentation
• Within the VMI, we also have access to 2 single chamber 202CM pressure myography devices (DMT) with built-in interface, pressure transducer box and heating supply in collaboration with the Straub Lab. Data acquisition is performed using MyoVIEWII-Edge detection software within LabChart 8 Pro software.

• Stirling Ultracold -80ºC Model SU780XLE Ultra-Low Temperature Upright Freezer
• VWR® Standard Laboratory -20ºC Freezer with Solid Door and Manual Defrost
• KitchenAll 4ºC Refrigerator
• Liquid Nitrogen Tank CRYOSYSTEM SERIES 4002

• Thermo Scientific Heracell VIOS 160i CO2 Incubator
• Fisherbrand Gravity Ovens, 50ºC to 250ºC
• LPS Mini Benchtop Inucubator 120V
• Shared bacterial culture incubators

• Ohmeda Isotec 2 Anesthetic Vaporizer,
• Hugo Sacks Murine Mini Vent
• Kent Scientific Genie Plus Infusion Systems (x2)
• World Precision Instruments Operating Microscope
• Geiger Thermal Cautery Units
• Scisense Advantage Derived Volume/Pressure Measurement System
• Sciesense Mouse Pressure Catheters (x2)
• Doppler Signal Processor 200
• Dedicated Dell computers for data acquisition and analysis (x2)

• Additional tissue culture rooms
• Animal procedure suites
• Cold rooms
• Chemical hoods
• Microscopy suites
• A darkroom equipped with a UV transilluminator, automatic film processor, an enlarger; Biorad ChemiDoc Touch imager and phosphorimager, spectrophotometer; liquid scintillation counter
• Autoclaves
• Bacterial shakers
• Microscopy (fluorescence and multiphoton)
• Molecular biology equipment as needed.
• Additional dedicated space for microscopy/live cell imaging is available within the U. Pitt Center for Biological Imaging
• Machine shop for repairs of equipment, construction of devices such as environmental chambers for microscopes, and specialized robotics equipment etc.

• Adventurer® AXW Balances, Ohaus 210g +/- 0.0001
• Corning® LSE™ Mini Microcentrifuge
• LPS Orbit LS Shaker Low Spd 3-60 Rpm W/Platform
• LPS Accublock Digital Dry Bath Dual Block Capacity
• Accuris Compact Balance 0.01 Readability 500 grams
• LPS Roto-Therm Plus Incubated Rotator(Var Spd) with Tube Holder
• Eppendorf Research plus Pipettes (0.1-2.5uL, 0.5-10uL, 10-100uL, 100-1,000uL variable-volume pipettes) with epT.I.P.S.
• Thermo Scientific Digital Microplate Shaker 120V
• Bel-Art SP Scienceware Space Saver Vacuum Desiccators
• Fisherbrand Analog Vortex Mixer, Speed: 300 to 3200rpm
• Fisherbrand Isotemp Digital Hotplate Stirrer
• Branson Ultrasonics™ CPXH Series Ultrasonic Cleaning Bath
• Thermo Scientific™ Orion Star™ A211 Benchtop pH Meter with ROSS Sure-Flow pH electrode and ATC probe and TRIS-compatible ROSS Ultra pH/ATC electrode
• VEVOR 4 Units Heads Digital Thermostatic Magnetic Stirrer Hot Plate Mixer
• SCILOGEX SCI20-Pro Overhead LCD Digital Stirrer, 20L Capacity
• Novascan PSD Pro UV Ozone system
• Ismatec 12-channel Peristaltic Pump

• A 48 TB server
• Two High-performance workstation computers equipped with 16 cores, 256 GB of RAM, 10 TB of NVMe and SSD storage, and a NVIDIA RTX A5000 24 GB graphics card
• Two microscope computers based on a CUDA Workstation with 128 GB RAM, NVIDIA RTX A4000 22 GB graphics card, 10 TB of storage, and a 37″ curved 4K display optimized for running Leica’s LIGHTNING super-resolution post-processing software
• Computer hardware is supported by a departmental information technology specialist.

• Full license of Imaris 10.2 image analysis software
• University licenses for:
  • Adobe CC
  • AutoDesk Educational Suite
  • Microsoft Office 365
  • Cloud Storage
  • GraphPad Prism
  • Ansys Simulation Software
  • LabView
  • MATLAB software
  • PowerChart 8
  • Zoom