OpenFlexure Microscope V2
by LIBRE-hub
Printable files (17)
-
stlgear_elevator.stl
19 Ko · 6 772 downloads
-
stllarge_gear.stl
352 Ko · 6 817 downloads
-
stloptics_picam2_pilens.stl
973 Ko · 6 761 downloads
-
stlpicam2_board_gripper.stl
10 Ko · 6 750 downloads
-
stlbed2_shallow_picam2.stl
493 Ko · 6 745 downloads
-
stlpicam_cover.stl
67 Ko · 6 743 downloads
-
stlsample_clip.stl
108 Ko · 6 746 downloads
-
stloptics_picam1_pilens.stl
900 Ko · 6 739 downloads
-
stljust_leg_test.stl
15 Ko · 6 740 downloads
-
stltilted_foot.stl
77 Ko · 6 736 downloads
-
stlall_parts_picam2.stl
2 Mo · 6 763 downloads
-
stlbed1_tall_picam2.stl
1.5 Mo · 6 717 downloads
-
stlpicam1_board_gripper.stl
9 Ko · 6 711 downloads
-
stlpicam2_lens_remover.stl
29 Ko · 6 713 downloads
-
stluntilted_foot.stl
70 Ko · 6 709 downloads
-
stlmain_body_vanilla.stl
4.4 Mo · 6 738 downloads
-
stlillumination_and_rear_foot_standard_stage.stl
183 Ko · 6 713 downloads
Description
THIS IS NOT MY OWN DESIGN! I am sharing the files from Richard Bowman documented in the public domain in detail here on DocuBricks: http://docubricks.com/viewer.jsp?id=9134926926759813120#brick_909106319 here on github: https://github.com/rwb27/openflexure_microscope, here published: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4941068, and here on Waterscope: http://www.waterscope.org/.
Optomechanics is a crucial part of any microscope; when working at high magnification, it is absolutely crucial to keep the sample steady and to be able to bring it into focus precisely. Accurate motion control is extremely difficult using printed mechanical parts, as good linear motion typically equires tight tolerances and a smooth surface finish. This design for a 3D printed microscope stage uses plastic flexures, meaning its motion is free from friction and vibration. It achieves steps well below 100nm when driven with miniature stepper motors, and is stable to within a few microns over several days. This design aims to minimise both the amount of post-print assembly required, and the number of non-printed parts required - partly to make it as easy as possible to print, and partly to maximise stability; most of the microscope (including all the parts with flexures) prints as a single piece. The majority of the expense is in the Raspberry Pi and its camera module; the design requires only around 100g of plastic and a few nuts, bolts and other parts. The optics module (containing the camera and lens) can be easily swapped out or modified, for example to add epifluorescence or change the magnification.
I ran workshops based on the design, which is highly rewarding. A must try!