1. Build Your Own Mini
2. Build Your Own Pro
3. Fabricaton Guide

Build Your Own GCODe Mini

Construction Manual

Here's the construction manual for the GCODe Mini. It contains the parts list, assembly instructions and device setup instructions. It also has the software installation instructions.

GCODe Mini Construction Manual

Resources

Laser Cutting and PCB fabrication Resources

Here are the source files for the laser cutting and PCB fabrication. For laser cutting, the material we used is a standard opaque 4mm acrylic sheet. You should submit the .dwg file in the laser-cutting-source-files folder for laser cutting. The Gerber files for PCB fabrication are in GCODeMini_PCB_V3.zip inside the below zip file. The schematics are given as .pdf files.

GCODe Fabrication Files

Software Resources

Here's the entire source code for the Mini. Once you extract it, you will get a folder named 'Code'. This is referred to as the Code folder in the manual.

GCODe Code Files

User Manual

Here's the User manual for the GCODe Mini. It details out the user instructions for an assembled GCODe Mini on a laptop with the GCODe Mini software and all the required dependencies installed. For installation instructions, please refer the last part of the Construction manual.

GCODe Mini Usage Manual

GCODe Mini Assembly: Human Practices

If you're not convinced from our manuals and our extensive documentation that it is extremely easy to build the Mini, here's something better: We asked Arpit - one of the freshmen we had interacted as part as our human practices - to build the Mini from the construction manual. He did it in just under two hours! See what he had to say about the manual.

Build Your Own GCODe Pro

The pro is still under development. However, we have included all the resources to help interested teams build the device upto the developed (version 3) stage and develop it further. This will save the interested teams all the trial and error we had to go through. (To learn more about this, look at our Notebook page). As of 31 Oct 2017:

1. The electronics is done - including the PCB design. The Gerber files have been uploaded.
2. The Laser cutting files are done too. The .dwg AutoCAD files have been uploaded.
3. The code for most of the fluidics is done. The machine transfers specified amounts of fluid.
4. There is some calibration required for the ethanol flushing part. The variables to be calibrated are given in the code comments. Apart from this, all other fluidics have been done.
5. The code for the Analysis Unit is not integrated into the main Arduino code.
6. Neither a Python CLI nor a GUI has been written. The code currently works with Serial commands from the Arduino IDE window.

We've got to admit, the GCODe Pro Documentation is not nearly as extensive as the Mini. This is mostly because of the complexity of the Pro and the number of parts that go together to make it. But it shouldn't be hard for a motivated person who's got a little experience in building stuff off of online DIY guides to recreate the current version of the pro from our construction manual.

Construction Manual

Here's the construction manual for the GCODe Pro. It contains the parts list, assembly instructions and device setup instructions. It also has the software installation instructions.

GCODe Pro Construction Manual

Resources

Laser Cutting and PCB fabrication Resources

Here are the source files for the laser cutting and PCB fabrication. For laser cutting, the material we used is a standard opaque 4mm acrylic sheet. You should submit the .dwg file in the laser-cutting-source-files folder for laser cutting. The Gerber files for PCB fabrication are in GCODe_Pro_PCB_Gerbers.zip inside the below zip file. The schematics are given as .pdf files.

GCODe Pro Fabrication Files

Software Resources

Here's the entire source code for the Mini. Once you extract it, you will get a folder named 'Code'. This is referred to as the Code folder in the manual.

GCODe Pro Code

Fabrication Guide

It might be a little intimidating to get PCBs fabricated and to get the parts laser-cut if you haven't done it before. So here's something to get you started.

Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Printing

The first step is to find a fabrication lab online, or in your city. Here's an easy place to get you started: easyeda.com [They are not sponsoring us]

You'll find a zip file containing files in the Gerber format when you download our fabrication files. Gerbers are the standard files used by the PCB industry to describe the PCBs. You have to submit these files to the PCB fabrication facility or - if you're using an online facility like EasyEDA - upload them.

Check that the files you uploaded are in the correct format. For example, when using EasyEDA, use the "Gerber Viewer" option. after checking they are in the correct format, make your payment and receive the PCBs!

Soldering

Consult the 3D renders and the PCB pdf files we have given included in the fabrication files pdf when soldering. Soldering irons are hot, so if you're inexperienced get someone else to do it for you.

Laser cutting

Laser cutting is an extremely easy and efficient prototyping method for beginners. Just find a local laser cutting facility, buy a suitable sized sheet of a the material you want (2ft x 2ftx 4mm Black Acrylic worked wonderfully for us) submit the .dwg files, and you're good to go!