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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Plant Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #423284
Research Project: Expanding Resiliency and Utility of Alfalfa in Agroecosystems

Location: Plant Science Research

Title: A 3D printed grinder adaptor for streamlined sample processing

Author
item HEUSCHELE, OTTO - Volunteer
item Jeo, Richard
item Heuschele, Deborah

Submitted to: HardwareX
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/8/2025
Publication Date: 12/1/2025
Citation: Heuschele, O.L., Jeo, R.T., Heuschele, D.J. 2025. A 3D printed grinder adaptor for streamlined sample processing. HardwareX. 24. Article e00699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00699.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00699

Interpretive Summary: Sample preparation for post-harvest tests is very time consuming in agricultural research. Grinding samples takes up the greatest portion of that time. Also, samples are very small and portions of the sample can be lost when transferring samples from the grinder to storage containers. We developed an adapter for an abrasive type grinder that allowed ground sample to be directly placed into different sizes of storage containers. This device removes the need to collect ground sample into a collect container, detach the collection vessel and then transfer the sample into a storage container. The sample grinder adapter saves 3-5minutes of labor per sample ground and reduces sample loss during sample transfers.

Technical Abstract: In agricultural research, sample preparation for any type of post-harvest analysis is very time consuming. After harvesting samples, they generally need to be ground before further analysis. Grinding plant samples can be accomplished by either an abrasive type or blade type grinders. The abrasive type provides relatively uniform particle size, there for it is preferred to prepare material for analytical assays (1 mm). We use a Foss Cyclotech grinder comes with a glass container that needs to be removed and cleaned after each sample is ground. We developed a 3-D printed adaptor cone that does not need to be removed after each sample and is cleaned when air is vented through the machine to remove sample from the abrasive ring. This hardware saves 3-5 minutes of labor per sample and allows for direct sample grinding into different sample storage containers.