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

January 1, 2025

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.

August 1, 2023

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.

October 1, 2022

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.

June 1, 2022

v7.3

Changed

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

April 1, 2022

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.

February 23, 2022

v7.1

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

January 1, 2022

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.

November 22, 2021

v6.1

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

July 13, 2021

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.

February 1, 2021

v5.0

Added

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

January 1, 2021

v4.1

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

December 1, 2020

v4.0

Changed

Update the conductivity sensor to v2.

June 1, 2020

v3.1

Added

Add conductivity sensor v1.

April 1, 2020

v3.0

Fixed

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

December 1, 2019

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