Digital Designs and Scientific Hardware - Open-Source Lab: How to Build Your Own Hardware and Reduce Research Costs - page 169

such as holographic microscope [ 4 ] , portable system for high-speed multispectral optical ima-
ging [ 5 ] , and an light-emiting diode (LED) stimulator system for vision research [ 6 ] . Here
the automation capabilities of the Arduino can be combined with the rapid prototyping of
the RepRap to make sophisticated, customized equipment such as an automated filter wheel
changer printing shown in Figure 6.4(a) and (b) .
6.2 Physics: Open-Source Optics
This section introduces a library of open-source 3-D-printable optics equipment, which can be
used as a flexible, low-cost public-domain tool set for developing both research and physics
teaching optics hardware [ 7 ]. Overall, this section describes open-source optics development,
system requirements, features, advantages, and known limitations. This same model can be
applied to other physics-related research tools and equipment.
The open-source optics library is built from standard low-cost parts available in most hard-
ware stores and customizable printed parts. First, an optical rail is fabricated from an open-
source aluminum extrusion system called OpenBeam 14 as shown in Figure 6.5 .
FIGURE 6.5 The cross-section and side wall of the OpenBeam aluminum extrusion system.
An optical rail is a long, straight, sturdy rail onto which optical components such as light
sources and lenses can be bolted down and easily shifted along the length of the rail. Commer-
cial optical rail sells for around $380/m ($115/ft), while OpenBeam is available from $10-12/m.
The OpenBeam system is an open-sourced, miniaturized t-slot construction system that util-
izes standard metric (M3) nuts and bolts to connect to an extruded 1 m aluminum rod (M3s
can also be screwed into the center hole at the end). 15 The OpenBeam is converted into an op-
tical rail using a printable magnetic bas e 16 ( Figure 6.6 ), which holds the beam securely on a
steel table or desk. For those not using metal tables, two OpenBeam T-brackets can either be
purchased or printed to mount to any nonmetallic surfac e 17 ( Figure 6.7 ) .