Step one is done. The syringe pump has been completed and is running pretty well. I took a look around to see what open source pumps are out there, and in the end decided to just make my own. Each of the others had some things I liked and some I didn't, so a custom made one seemed to make sense. I'm pretty much settled on using 20ml syringes as my standard size, so I ordered some of those, and they came this week. I got 40 of them for $14.50, so make it about 36 cents each. Not to bad, I think.

I'm running a power supply for this that's WAY over what I need, but I intend to use it for the entire machine and I already had it here, so I might as well use it. In fact, my out of pocket costs of things I have purchased just for this project is zero so far. I had everything on the shelf's already. Also, some of this stuff is being used only for testing the pump and will be dumped back on the shelf before I'm done, so take that into account when you're checking out the cost of all this. So the total amount listed on the parts list will undoubtedly vary depending on what your junk pile contains, so take that into account if you want to build one.

I'm using an Arduino Uno with a Gshield to run the pump. If all you need is the pump go with another controller, like the Sparkfun EasyDriver, and save yourself the difference.

Another thing is I had a lead screw that's perfect for this project so I'm using it. I'm printing a version of the plunger carriage that uses a 5/16-18 stainless steel threaded rod for you to use. It wouldn't be hard to change to about any other reasonable size you may have or can get, either. I want to make it easy to use what YOU have available, not what I had.

I'll have a Github link for you in a day or so, as well as the complete parts list and the figures for the final resolution of this pump . I want to print (being done as we speak) the threaded rod version of the carriage and make sure it all fits right then I'll get that uploaded. I'll also need to make the changes to the firmware to take into account the differences in feed rate with other threaded rods.

All in all, happy things are progressing as fast and well as they are. Hope the project goes this smooth all the way to the end! :)

Next step: A 30kV DC variable power supply. Which reminds me... I need to get some stuff on order for that... Lol.