This is a guide for building the SimpleBOX. If you were looking for another BOX version, click here.
- Total price: under 150 €
- Printing time including preparation: under 4 days
- Assembly time: under 1 day
| Link - name of part | Amount | Comment | Price per amount used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3D printing material | ~500 g | Choose material that works with your 3D printer. If unsure, have a look at the guide in 3D printing section | 15 € |
| Microscope objective 4× | 1 piece | It is possible to use 10× objective as well, but we recommend 4× for this setup. | 10 € |
| Eyepiece 20× | 1 piece | The holder is designed for an eyepiece of this diameter. Sold in pairs. | 13 € |
| Lens 100 mm | 2 pieces | 550.OA.50 | 10 € |
| Lens 50 mm | 1 piece | LA1131 | 20 € |
| Lens 40 mm | 1 piece | Artikel 2120 | 6 € |
| Lens -50 mm | 1 piece | LC1259 | 19 € |
| Mirror | 2 pieces | 45 pieces package, only 2 pieces needed. | 0,50 € |
| Flashlight | 1 piece | Light source for the projector and microscope. | 7 € |
| Magnets | 84 pieces | Ball magnets, diameter 5 mm. | 30 € |
| Screws | ~120 pieces | M3×12, galvanized steel - ~50 pieces; M3×8, galvanized steel - ~50 pieces; M3×18, galvanized steel - 2 pieces; M3×30, not magnetic - 1 piece; M3 nut | ~10 € |
| Chocolate | 1 bar | Use it as a reward when you're done. |
- Check out the RESOURCES for more information!
Completely new to 3D printing? Have a look into this beginner's guide!
Our quick printing tutorial can be found here:
We have a good experience with this printer and settings:
- Prusa i3/MK3S
- PLA 1,75 mm, for one Box: 0,455 kg = 152,53 m = 69 hours = 13 €
- Profile Optimal 0,15 mm, infill 20%, no support, 215/60°C
- Hint
Note: The design of the mechanical Z-stage has recently been changed. The files here are not yet up-to-date. Please check the Mechanical Z-stage for the latest version. Same applies to the Lens Holder available here
| Name of part - Link to STL file | Amount |
|---|---|
| (01) Basic Cube 2×1 | 1 piece |
| (02) Basic Lid 2×1 | 1 piece |
| (03) Basic Cube 1×1 | 10 pieces |
| (04) Basic Lid 1×1 | 10 pieces |
| (05) Baseplate 4×1 | 3 pieces |
| (06) Baseplate 4×2 | 1 piece |
| Name of part - Link to STL file | Amount | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| (07) Z-Stage Focusing Insert | 1 piece | Rotate the part in your slicer before printing. Always print it laying on the flat side. |
| (08) Z-Stage Bottom Plate | 1 piece | The plate holds the gear and screw in position, allowing the only to rotate but not to wobble. |
| (09) Z-Stage Top Plate | 1 piece | The plate holds the gear and screw in position, allowing the only to rotate but not to wobble. |
| (10) Z-Stage Gear | 1 piece | Kindly borrowed from openflexure. |
| (11) Z-Stage Objective Mount | 1 piece | For mounting the objective lens (RMS thread). |
| (12) Z-Stage Sample Plate | 1 piece | It provides the optimal spacing between the objective lens and the sample. |
| (13) Z-Stage Sample Clamp | 1 piece | To hold the microscope slide. |
| (14) Eyepiece/flashlight mount | 2 pieces | Diameter fits for the listed eyepiece and flashlight. |
| (15) Mirror Holder 45° 30×30mm² | 2 pieces | Size fits for the listed mirrors. |
| (16) Generic Sample Holder | 1 piece | In the SimpleBOX, it is used to hold the object in the projector setup. |
| (17) Generic Sample Holder Clamp | 1 piece | To fix the sample. |
| (18) Lens Holder - Thick lens | 1 piece | Diameter fits for the listed lenses (25 mm). The thick holder is for the diverging lens. |
| (19) Lens Holder - Thin lens | 4 pieces | Diameter fits for the listed lenses (25 mm). The thin holder is for the converging lenses. |
| (20) Lens Holder Clamp | 5 pieces | Diameter fits for the listed lenses (25 mm). |
| (21) Smartphone Holder | 1 piece | Which belongs together with the eyepiece cube. |
| Tool | Image | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Electric screw driver with 2,5 mm hex bit |  |
For putting the cubes together using M3×12 and M3×8 screws. |
| 2,5 mm hex key |  |
For fine adjustment of all the M3 screws if needed. |
| 1,5 mm hex key | ↑↑ | For mounting worm screws. |
| Needle-nose Pliers |  |
Might come handy |
| Part - link | Result | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Baseplates |  |
1× "big" baseplate (4×2), 3× "small" baseplate (4×1) |
| Lens Cubes |  |
5× Lens Cube; Write the focal lenghts of the lenses on the holders, so you can always easily find the right one when building different setups. |
| Mirror Cubes |  |
2× Mirror Cube |
| Sample Cube |  |
1× Sample Holder Cube |
| Flashlight Cube |  |
1× Flashlight Cube |
| Eyepiece and Smartphone Cube |  |
1× Eyepiece Cube with Smartphone Holder mounted on it |
| Z-Stage Cube |  |
1× mechanical Z-Stage with Sample Clamp |
