This repo will help you to integrate linear motion into a cube. We have multiple different solutions depending on precision, price and available components. Some are motorized, others are purely manually driven.
The idea is to have a small level arm that is equipped with a one-sided gear that translates a rotation into a linear motion. The linear motion is guided either using a CNC-derived linear bearing (i.e. MGN12H) or a rod-based linear rail system, where a 5mm rod in combination with a dry linear bearing (similar to Igus drylin, but 3D printed) assures linear motion along the optical axis.
Both versions are thought to be used for beginner purposes and for low magnification lenses since the overall accuracy is not very high.
For automated micrsocopy applications it is important to have a stable focus that can be moved to compensate focus variatins and for focus stacking. We make use of several different versions, where one relies on an off-the-shelf linear actuator (50mm rail with NEMA11 stepper motor) that integrates in the cube either in an inverted or upright system.
Alternatively we also offer a linear stage derived from a 25mm linear bearing that can be operated manually with its micrometer screw or pushed by a non-captive linear motor (NEMA8, Nanotec). This is by far the most precise, but also the most expensive solution.
The last DIY-lovers version relies on off-the-shelf parts (e.g. 3D printed, ebay) only. It features a NEMA11 motor in combination with a DIY non-captive linear motion that is guided by a MGN12H linear bearing. Though it's readily available it may suffer from certain imprecisions.
Below we will briefly show you how to build the modules.
Features:
- Linear Z-motion
- manual and automated operation
- Low-cost
- Integrate into the UC2 system
- Mount RMS-threaded lenses
Here you can see a z-stack acquired with the UC2 linear stage:
The laser control and motion of the filter is done by the UC2-REST firmware. It is a work-in-progress and we suggest you to reach out to us through an issue when you're keen on using the software
We forked the beautiful ImSwitch and adapted many functionalities (e.g. Filter swtichting) into their framework. The beniroquai fork implements the above mentioned Firmware UC2-REST. Also here: It is a work-in-progress and we encourage you to reach out to us if you need help. :-)
A ESP32-Python client to control the motors that are connected to e.g. the CNC-Shield v3 can be found here ESP32Client.py.
Figure 1: A ~50mm long MGN12H linear bearing/rail integrates into the cube to have a stable motion along the optical axis
The rail mounts to the base and the objective mount adapts to the acutal linear bearing. This piece also has a linear set of gear tooths that in combination with the geared level arm allows a linear motion when pulling the levelarm up and down.
The assembly porcess is straight forward. Even though not shown in the diagram, you only need to add M3 screws to mount the linear rail to the base and then the objective mount to the linear rail. The level arm is also mounted to the base with two M3 screws in order to allow a rotation.
This is only a rough description of the assembly process. If you need additional information please have a look the core openUC2 repository or file an issue.
Below you will find all components necessary to build the beamcombiner
All these files in the folder ./STL/ need to be printed. We used a Prusa i3 MK3 using PLA Prusament (Galaxy Black) at layer height 0.3 mm and infill 30%.
For the RMS-threaded objective mount you should use higher printing resolution, e.g. 0.1mm.
Additionally you need 1x IM Cube.
This is used in the current version of the setup
| Type | Details | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linear Bearing | MGN12H | 10 € | ebay.com |
| Linear Rail | 50mm, for the MGN12H | 10 € | ebay.com |
The original design files are in the INVENTOR folder.
====================================
Figure 2: A ~50mm long 5mm diameter rods ensure a linear motion alogn Z
The core idea of this linear stage is very similar to the previous module, except that you only need 5mm diameter rods that ensure a linear motion. The actual actuator again is the manually driven level arm.
This is only a rough description of the assembly process. If you need additional information please have a look the core openUC2 repository or file an issue.
Below you will find all components necessary to build the beamcombiner
All these files in the folder ./STL/ need to be printed. We used a Prusa i3 MK3 using PLA Prusament (Galaxy Black) at layer height 0.3 mm and infill 30%.
For the RMS-threaded objective mount you should use higher printing resolution, e.g. 0.1mm.
Additionally you need 1x IM Cube.
This is used in the current version of the setup
| Type | Details | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2x rods | 50mm 5m diameter rods (e.g. aluminium) | 1 € | thorlabs or ebay or your local home supply store |
The original design files are in the INVENTOR folder.
Figure 2: Professional x-axis linear table with non-captive linear avtuator
A metal-based linear stage is getting pushed by a non-captive motor. This is by far the most accurate stage and costs around 200€. This is only a rough description of the assembly process. If you need additional information please have a look the core openUC2 repository or file an issue.
Below you will find all components necessary to build the beamcombiner
All these files in the folder ./STL/ need to be printed. We used a Prusa i3 MK3 using PLA Prusament (Galaxy Black) at layer height 0.3 mm and infill 30%.
For the RMS-threaded objective mount you should use higher printing resolution, e.g. 0.1mm.
Additionally you need 1x IM Cube.
This is used in the current version of the setup
| Type | Details | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1x linear stage | NEED TO PUT NAME HERE, 25mm | 60 € | NA |
| 1x non-captive linear motor | NEED TO PUT NAME HERE, 25mm | 100 € | NA |
The original design files are in the INVENTOR folder.
Figure 2: A ~50mm long 5mm diameter rods ensure a linear motion alogn Z
The core idea of this linear stage is very similar to the previous module, except that you only need 5mm diameter rods that ensure a linear motion. The actual actuator again is the manually driven level arm.
This is only a rough description of the assembly process. If you need additional information please have a look the core openUC2 repository or file an issue.
Below you will find all components necessary to build the beamcombiner
All these files in the folder ./STL/ need to be printed. We used a Prusa i3 MK3 using PLA Prusament (Galaxy Black) at layer height 0.3 mm and infill 30%.
For the RMS-threaded objective mount you should use higher printing resolution, e.g. 0.1mm.
Additionally you need 1x IM Cube.
This is used in the current version of the setup
| Type | Details | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2x rods | 50mm 5m diameter rods (e.g. aluminium) | 1 € | thorlabs or ebay or your local home supply store |
The original design files are in the INVENTOR folder.
Figure 2: A ~50mm long 5mm diameter rods ensure a linear motion alogn Z
The core idea of this linear stage is very similar to the previous module, except that you only need 5mm diameter rods that ensure a linear motion. The actual actuator again is the manually driven level arm.
This is only a rough description of the assembly process. If you need additional information please have a look the core openUC2 repository or file an issue.
Below you will find all components necessary to build the beamcombiner
All these files in the folder ./STL/ need to be printed. We used a Prusa i3 MK3 using PLA Prusament (Galaxy Black) at layer height 0.3 mm and infill 30%.
For the RMS-threaded objective mount you should use higher printing resolution, e.g. 0.1mm.
Additionally you need 1x IM Cube.
This is used in the current version of the setup. Also check out the RESOURCES for more information!
| Type | Details | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGN12 linear slider | 10 € | RoboterBausatz or ebay or your local home supply store | |
| Linear Rail MGN12, 50mm | 10 € | RoboterBausatz or ebay or your local home supply store | |
| M3 Nut | 1€ | ||
| M3 Screw | 30 mm or longer (non-magnetic) | 1€ | |
| various M3 Screw | 10-20mm cylindrical head, DIN912 | 1€ | |
| NEMA11 motor | 20€ | Eckstein |
The original design files are in the INVENTOR folder.
For this stage we have an in-detail YouTube video that describes the assembly process.
The assemlby is divided in two different parts, the motor holder for the NEMA11 motor and the linear stage that moves the objective up and down. The mechanism is called "captive" since the worm drive remains stationary and the nut is rotating.
The zoomed-in version shows location of all necessary screws and shafts. ATTENTION: the shaft that mounts the M3 nut looks a bit different since this version colides with the MGN12H linear stage!
Here we present a z-stack of infected epithelia cells with two different colours (GFP+AF647).
This project is open so that anyone can get involved. You don't even have to learn CAD designing or programming. Find ways you can contribute in CONTRIBUTING
This project is open-source and is released under the CERN open hardware license. Our aim is to make the kits commercially available. We encourage everyone who is using our Toolbox to share their results and ideas, so that the Toolbox keeps improving. It should serve as a easy-to-use and easy-to-access general purpose building block solution for the area of STEAM education. All the design files are generally for free, but we would like to hear from you how is it going.
You're free to fork the project and enhance it. If you have any suggestions to improve it or add any additional functions make a pull-request or file an issue.
Please find the type of licenses here
REMARK: All files have been designed using Autodesk Inventor 2019 (EDUCATION)
If you find this project useful, please like this repository, follow us on Twitter and cite the webpage! :-)