BactoBox® hardware changelog

What we added, changed, or fixed in each hardware version

Track changes for each BactoBox® hardware version.

For software releases, see BactoBox® software changelog.

Find your BactoBox® hardware version

Check the sticker on the bottom of your BactoBox®.

You can also check System info in the menu system.

Changes

Software updates

v7.6a

Added

  • Add vibration dampers to the pump bracket. Reduces 300 Hz noise and pump sound. Reduces measurement bias in some setups.

  • Add an internal filter between the pump and the flow cell. Prevents tubing fibers from entering the flow cell. The root cause was pump-driven spallation.

Changed

  • Reorganize and fasten internal components and tubing. Makes assembly and disassembly more reliable.

  • Change properties of some tubing sections. Adjusts length, inner diameter (ID), and conditioning. Better matches barb specifications.

  • Change rod layout in the bottom shell to a 4 cm grid. Makes the internal layout easier to modify later.

Removed

  • Remove the flow sensor. Software does not use it. It also caused too many false positives.

Software updatesHW upgrade available

v7.5

Added

  • Add a pulsation damper. Uses the 10403 mp-damper.

  • Add isolation between the TIA mount and the PCB. Prevents PCB short-circuits from conductive mount material.

Changed

  • Change the conductivity sensor. Switches to a newer sensor revision.

  • Change tubing for flow paths. Switches from Chem-Durance™ tubing to Tygon® tubing for everything but the pump.

Removed

  • Remove the 60 cm tubing loop. The loop had unclear effect. The pulsation damper replaces it.

v7.4

Changed

  • Change to a "sideways" Oina stepper motor. Replaces the "pancake" Oina stepper motor.

Removed

  • Remove the built-in vial holders. These were the three holes in the side for 7 mL vials. Use the stand-alone vial rack for 10 mL vials. A few special-built devices still retain the built-in vial holders for legacy use cases. This includes some later hardware versions, so you may find a rare v7.5 with built-in vial holders.

  • Remove the PCB-mounted liquid detector. We have not used it for a while.

v7.3

Changed

  • Change component tolerances on the main PCB. Affects resistors and capacitors in the analog chain.

v7.2

Changed

  • Change the pogo pin assembly process. The PCB manufacturer now mounts pogo pins. SBT no longer mounts pogo pins in-house.

Removed

  • Remove the rack that constrains the 60 cm tubing loop.

  • Remove the remaining pieces of Tygon® tubing. This also removes the corresponding steel fittings and adapters.

v7.1

Hardware v7.1 is identical to hardware v7.0.

v7.0

Added

  • Add flow sensor.

  • Add 60 cm tubing loop. Reduces pulsation in the flow.

Changed

  • Fasten the conductivity sensor to the bottom shell.

  • Change tubing for flow paths. Switches from Tygon® tubing to Chem-Durance™ tubing for most parts.

  • Stop using the PCB-mounted liquid detector. The liquid detector is still mounted on the PCB. We just do not use it anymore.

v6.1

Hardware v6.1 is identical to hardware v6.0.

v6.0

Added

  • Start using the PCB-mounted liquid detector. The liquid detector had been in place for a while, but this version starts using it.

v5.0

Added

  • Add protective circuitry to avoid flow cell overloading. Prevents electrode damage during electrical overload.

v4.1

Hardware v4.1 is identical to hardware v4.0.

v4.0

Changed

  • Update the conductivity sensor to v2.

v3.1

Added

  • Add conductivity sensor v1.

v3.0

Fixed

  • Power on now works more reliably with the ON/OFF rocker switch.

v2.0

Added

  • Add Green Mango board. Includes CPU, FPGA, memory, storage, USB controller, TIA, and an onboard flow cell interface.

  • Add a USB micro-B port.

Changed

  • Change to flow cell interface v2.0. Uses clamps to lock the flow cell in place. Supports dual-site flow cells and a flow cell memory chip.

  • Change from single-site to dual-site TIA.

  • Change to the "pancake" Oina stepper motor.

Removed

  • Remove Red Pitaya and its HAT and support boards. The Green Mango board replaces them.

v1.0

Added

  • Add Red Pitaya board.

  • Add custom HAT board for Red Pitaya. Includes motor driver and RTC.

  • Add custom board for PSU and USB I/O.

  • Add custom PCB for buttons.

  • Add display.

  • Add flow cell interface v1.0. Uses two screws to lock the flow cell in place.

Version 7.5

BactoBox® hardware v7.5 disassembled.
BactoBox® hardware v7.5 disassembled.

Version 7.4

BactoBox® hardware v7.4 disassembled.

Version 7.3

BactoBox® hardware v7.3 disassembled. Upgraded from a v6.0 (still says v6.0 on the PCB label).

Version 7.2

BactoBox® hardware v7.2 disassembled.
BactoBox® hardware v7.2 disassembled.
BactoBox® hardware v7.2 disassembled.
BactoBox® hardware v7.2 disassembled. Experimental version with unconstrained 60 cm tubing loop.

Version 7.1

BactoBox® hardware v7.1 disassembled. Note the "V6" tubing holder.
BactoBox® hardware v7.1 disassembled. Note the "V5" tubing holder.

Version 6.0

BactoBox® hardware v6.0 disassembled.
BactoBox® hardware v6.0 disassembled.

Version 5.0

BactoBox® hardware v5.0 disassembled.
BactoBox® hardware v5.0 disassembled.

Early prototypes

BactoBox® hardware v2.0–3.0 prototype. (a) Assembled. (b) Disassembled.
BactoBox® hardware v1.0 prototype. (a) Assembled. (b) Disassembled.
Disassembled BactoBox® hardware v1.0 prototype. Image from around 2019-08-12.

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