Workshop Facilities and Services
The department’s workshop provides the following basic functions to staff, students and other organisations;
- Sheetmetal fabrication of basic forms and shapes e.g. Faraday cage shielding.
- Metal machining such as milling and turning, e.g. microscope stage tissue baths.
- Basic arc welding, oxy welding and spot welding, e.g. Cage frames, equipment repair.
- Light sandblasting, e.g. Surface finishing.
- Basic spray painting.
- Fabrication of laboratory apparatus from sheet and stock plastics e.g. Perspex, PVC and Polycarbonate sheet and Delrin, Teflon or Polyethylene rod stock.
The workshop can be approached for discussion on all subjects relating to research experiments envisaged by staff or students and on teaching equipment matters. Equipment and devices can be designed, manufactured and subsequently tailored to the specific needs of most activities applicable to research in physiology.
Some of the tasks typically undertaken in the workshop include;
- Discussion, planning, design and manufacture of apparatus for specific research tasks. This varies from basic devices to complete research projects and may encompass, for example, anything from tailored manipulators and tissue baths to electro-mechanical devices of all types.
- Repair and modification of scientific instruments.
- Assessment of condition of apparatus and planning of reconditioning or effective replacement.
- Discussion and research concerning laboratory equipment planning, technical practices, cost effectiveness of proposals and exploring alternative, more cost-effective approaches to goals.
- Discussion and research of safety issues and recommended procedures.
Specialised stereotaxic frame / bath combination designed to simplify setup and operation of neurophysiology experiments
 |
 |
 |
Dual, heated stations for Ussing Chambers were designed and manufactured to simplify handling and to ensure long-term stability, simple operation above ambient temperature and low cost.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Click on each thumbnail to show full size images
The heating medium, pumped from a recirculating water bath, carries heat to the apparatus and to the coiled plastic tubing in the base of the unit. Loose-fitting lids enable elevated temperature of the Ussing Chamber environment to be maintained for extended periods of measurement while keeping costs and manufacturing complexity low. Variations on this design can be manufactured to order
These five photographs show some general and detail views of the latest design and manufacturing project undertaken on the R&D Workshop.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Click on each thumbnail to show full size images
The project involved the design from scratch of a low cost, very sturdy and robust stereotaxic frame, complete with dual 3-Axis manipulators, sturdy but simple clamping bars and immunity to dirt and corrosive fluids.
Devising simplified but sturdy dovetail slides and rigid, anodised metal supports provided low material cost, required fewer machining hours and achieved maximum strength and stability.
Provision was also made for either variable or repeatable, predetermined Z-Axis rotation In this example it is set to 20 degrees on dowel pin location.
The 3-Axis manipulators can be assembled in any desired orientation, adjusted to provide preferred operating force and can carry any form of commercial electrode holder. Copies or variants of these manipulators can be manufactured on request.
A low-cost, stepper motor driven electrode carrier is currently under development to complete the collection of affordable manipulators suitable for use in teaching and research.
To discuss your possible application of this product to your research or teaching needs and to estimate manufacturing time and materials costs contact the R&D Workshop on (03) 8344 5817.
Manipulator with 4 motorised linear and 2 manual rotation axes.
 |
The need for low-cost manipulators with control over
six axes led to the ‘in-house’ R&D
of this device and to the simplified remote control
module.
Four
of the axes are motorised using miniature DC motors and gearboxes controlled
by a selector switch, a contactless joystick and low-cost, commercial robotics
modules.
The method of construction has reduced the cost of linear bearings by incorporating ‘ball
and rail’ rolling elements rather than expensive ‘crossed rollers’.
Simple leadscrew-and-nut translators are located by enclosed miniature bearings
to keep costs low.
This approach enables full control of electrode displacement and simpler electrode
attachment and replacement.
Dovetail axis interconnection with cam locking allows left or right hand location
and gives extended reach as well as freedom to orientate all the axes over a
wide range of locations on the microscope stage.
Manufacture of variations of this type of manipulator, as well as other projects
and apparatus design and construction, can be discussed with the workshop on
extension 45817.
Some images of typical products of the Physiology Workshop are below.
 |
 |