2D SprayPath: a parametric generator of planar scans in G-code applied to scientific instrumentation
Keywords:
Software, Spray coating, Experimental automation, Parametrized trajectories, Reproducibility.Abstract
Laboratory automation plays an important role in improving experimental reproducibility, reducing human errors, and increasing process efficiency. This work presents the development and validation of 2D SprayPath, an open-source software designed to generate parameterized trajectories for spray coating deposition systems. Developed in Python, the software provides a user-friendly graphical interface that enables the definition of deposition parameters, visualization of nozzle paths, and automatic generation of G-code files for motion control. Validation was performed using a low-cost spray coater adapted from a Creality Ender-3 PRO 3D printer equipped with an airbrush. Experimental tests employing different zig-zag deposition patterns showed excellent agreement between programmed and measured geometrical parameters, with relative errors below 1%. The results demonstrate the accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of the generated trajectories. Furthermore, the software can be adapted to other laboratory applications involving controlled planar motion, contributing to accessible automation and scientific reproducibility.
Downloads
References
ABRAMO, Giovanni; D’ANGELO, Ciriaco Andrea. How do you define and measure research productivity? Scientometrics, v. 101, n. 2, p. 1129–1144, 2014.
ALMUSHARRAF, Ahlam I. Automation and its influence on sustainable development: Economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Sustainability, v. 17, n. 4, p. 1754, 2025.
ASHGRIZ, Nasser. Handbook of atomization and sprays: theory and applications. [S.l.]: Springer Science & Business Media, 2011.
auto-py-to-exe: Converts .py to .exe using a simple graphical interface. , [S.d.]. Disponível em: <https://github.com/brentvollebregt/auto-py-to-exe>. Acesso em: 18 jan. 2026
BLASKIEVICZ, Sirlon F.; SOARES, Leandro Luiz; MASCARO, Lucia Helena. Um spin coater artesanal baseado em lixo eletrônico: uma alternativa versátil e de baixo custo. Química Nova, v. 44, p. 1180–1183, 2021.
DE ALMEIDA, Jéssica C. et al. Exploring the stability and catalytic activity of monoethanolamine functionalized CuO electrode in electrochemical CO 2 reduction. Nanoscale, v. 16, n. 39, p. 18455–18467, 2024.
FALSETTI, Paulo HE et al. Synthesis and photocatalytic performance of Bi2O3 thin films obtained in a homemade spin coater. Materials Today Communications, v. 27, p. 102214, 2021.
FALSETTI, Paulo Henrique Eleuterio et al. Tailoring CuO and Cu/Cu2O Catalysts via Monoethanolamine for Enhanced CO2 Electroreduction in MEA Cells. In: PROCEEDINGS OF MATSUS FALL 2025 CONFERENCE (MATSUSFALL25). Anais... 2025.
FALSETTI, Paulo Henrique Eleuterio. PauloFalsetti/2D_SprayPath. , 2 maio 2026. Disponível em: <https://github.com/PauloFalsetti/2D_SprayPath>. Acesso em: 2 maio. 2026
GUNDERSEN, Odd Erik. The fundamental principles of reproducibility. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, v. 379, n. 2197, p. 20200210, 2021.
HANFT, Dominik et al. An overview of the aerosol deposition method: Process fundamentals and new trends in materials applications. J. Ceram. Sci. Technol, v. 6, n. 3, p. 147–182, 2015.
HOLLAND, Ian; DAVIES, Jamie A. Automation in the life science research laboratory. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, v. 8, p. 571777, 2020.
JÄMSÄ-JOUNELA, Sirkka-Liisa. Future trends in process automation. Annual Reviews in Control, v. 31, n. 2, p. 211–220, 2007.
JESSOP-FABRE, Mathew M.; SONNENSCHEIN, Nikolaus. Improving reproducibility in synthetic biology. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, v. 7, p. 18, 2019.
json — JSON encoder and decoder. Disponível em: <https://docs.python.org/3/library/json.html>. Acesso em: 18 jan. 2026.
KANAKANNAVAR, Sateeshkumar et al. Coating Methods and Materials for 3D Printed (FDM) Parts. In: Post-Processing of Parts and Components Fabricated by Fused Deposition Modeling. [S.l.]: CRC Press, 2024. p. 81–102.
KEMPNER, Maria E.; FELDER, Robin A. A review of cell culture automation. JALA: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation, v. 7, n. 2, p. 56–62, 2002.
KITNEY, Richard et al. Enabling the advanced bioeconomy through public policy supporting biofoundries and engineering biology. Trends in biotechnology, v. 37, n. 9, p. 917–920, 2019.
KREIMAN, Gabriel; MAUNSELL, John HR. Nine criteria for a measure of scientific output. Frontiers in computational neuroscience, v. 5, p. 48, 2011.
LATIF, Kamran et al. A review of G code, STEP, STEP-NC, and open architecture control technologies based embedded CNC systems. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, v. 114, n. 9, p. 2549–2566, 2021.
MARX, Ulrich et al. Automatic production of induced pluripotent stem cells. Procedia CIRP, v. 5, p. 2–6, 2013.
Matplotlib — Visualization with Python. Disponível em: <https://matplotlib.org/>. Acesso em: 14 dez. 2025.
NAVECA, Felipe Gomes et al. Desenvolvimento da CEL: equipamento de baixo-custo para reação e leitura de ensaios LAMP-Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification. Comunicação em Ciências da Saúde, v. 28, n. 01, p. 31–35, 2017.
NOGUEIRA, Andre E. et al. CuO synthesized by solvothermal method as a high capacity adsorbent for hexavalent chromium. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, v. 498, p. 161–167, 2016.
OCHS, Jelena et al. Advances in automation for the production of clinical-grade mesenchymal stromal cells: the AUTOSTEM robotic platform. Cell Gene Therapy Insights, v. 3, n. 8, p. 739–748, 2017.
PURI, S.; SHUKLA, P. Recent advances in thermal evaporation techniques for thin film deposition. Mater. Sci. Eng. R, v. 142, p. 100643, 2022.
QUERO, Reverson Fernandes. Avanços e inovações na impressão 3D de dispositivos microfluídicos: progressos nas técnicas de deposição fundida e fotopolimerização. 2023.
SANSON, Ananda L. et al. Equipamento de baixo custo para extração em fase sólida em amostras aquosas de grande volume utilizando pressão positiva de N. Química Nova, v. 37, p. 150–152, 2014.
SCHNEIDER, Caroline A.; RASBAND, Wayne S.; ELICEIRI, Kevin W. NIH Image to ImageJ: 25 years of image analysis. Nature methods, v. 9, n. 7, p. 671–675, 2012.
STORRS, C. Set It and Forget It-A Tour of Three Systems for Automating Cell Culture. The Scientist, 2013.
SUNITHA, K.; VASUDEV, Hitesh. A short note on the various thermal spray coating processes and effect of post-treatment on Ni-based coatings. Materials Today: Proceedings, v. 50, p. 1452–1457, 2022.
tkinter — Python interface to Tcl/Tk. Disponível em: <https://docs.python.org/3/library/tkinter.html>. Acesso em: 14 dez. 2025.
TOMA, Fatema Tuz Zohora et al. Thin film deposition techniques: a comprehensive review. J Mod Nanotechnol, 2024.
VAN DER WEIJDEN, Inge et al. Career satisfaction of postdoctoral researchers in relation to their expectations for the future. Higher Education, v. 72, n. 1, p. 25–40, 2016.
Welcome to Python.org. Disponível em: <https://www.python.org/>. Acesso em: 14 dez. 2025.
WRIGLEY, Jonathan D. et al. Cell banking for pharmaceutical research. Drug Discovery Today, v. 19, n. 10, p. 1518–1529, 2014.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Revista Brasileira de Iniciação Científica
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
