LAB-MADE 3D-PRINTED CONTACT ANGLE MEASUREMENT ADJUSTABLE HOLDER

Advances in the use of 3D printing technology have led to the development of new low-cost devices. This technology features high versatility, considering the easy modulation of the materials depending on its objectives and applications. In this sense, we have developed a laboratory-built contact angle measuring device (lab-made). The device was composed by the assembly of 26 3D-printed pieces of different sizes and design printed using acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymer. The device was designed in three main parts. The first part was related to the analysis, with the use of platforms for the sample surfaces positioning. The second part was made to support a micropipette, prepared to add the drop for analysis; and the third for the support of a smartphone, utilized to obtain the images. The device was applied for the measurement of contact angle on different surfaces, demonstrating its versatility and precision of the results. The obtained values are in accordance with others found in the literature. The developed device presented a low-cost (US$ 25.34 per device), easy assembly and operation.