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• I took a picture or two...

  Apollo Timbers • 12/16/2018 at 02:40 • 0 comments

  Here is the scope all hooked up with a quick bright white LED I found. 

  And a few images of a pine leaf and Housebee mouth parts. Images were downsized for loader. About 7.7 MP each normally 

  Looks like next will be some upgraded optics. Don't forget to check out https://hackaday.io/project/162831-pcb-inspection-microscope where I will be building a base to turn this biological scope into a PCB inspection scope.

  Enjoy!

  Apollo 

• 5mm LED holder

  Apollo Timbers • 12/13/2018 at 21:38 • 0 comments

  I whipped up a design for a simple LED holder. Use a bright white 5mm LED. You can power it with two wires from the 5 volt rail. Make sure to use a appropriate size resistor for your LED. For a fancy version you can use the PWM I/O on the Pi or add a pot to adjust the brightness manually. 

  File is under 5mm_LED_holder v3

  Enjoy!

  Apollo 

• Added .STL files

  Apollo Timbers • 12/12/2018 at 14:57 • 0 comments

  I added all the .STL flies to the page. This microscope design uses a commonly available 28BYJ-48 Stepper Motors.
  

  Here is a pin out of the coils

  Below are some tips if you are looking to make your own.

  • It's best to grease the optical tube and gear rack, you will want to ensure there is a good fit and that it moves freely as possible.
  • The Pi Camera will need to have it's lens removed to get the best pictures. 
  • I found the slide holders on EBAY, on the slow boat from China. (the 67mm version named "Slides Clip Stage Presser Pressure Holder Stainless Steel"
  • The 32mm watch glass was found locally for under 3 dollars.
  • The 20mm x 20mm extruded aluminum T-slot is 230mm long
  • You will also need a 20mm to 25mm adapter that will glue into the bottom of the optical tube. (Also from EBAY "Adapter RMS Thread to 25mm M25 for Nikon Leica Microscope")

  I still need to design a simple 5mm bright white LED light holder. But in the meantime you can use any source of stable light. The sun, a flashlight, or your cell phones camera light. 

  That's all I got for now, need to get my car to the shop.

  Apollo 

• Introducing Pi Microscope v3

  Apollo Timbers • 12/12/2018 at 04:21 • 0 comments

  Stardate 96546.25

  I'm here to resurrect this project from the depths of time...

  There I was stuck at the origin of Autodesk Fusion wondering though the vast array of design files, only to find that the Pi microscope needed a bit of TLC. I then went on a spree of design and redesign. Though all of this, I'm proud to present the microscope v3. 

  Well it looks the same you say? Wrong...
  

  Updated features include:

  1. A new camera mount compatible with the Raspberry Pi 8MP camera
  2. Lego gears (I'm unabashedly an adult AFOL ( Adult Fan Of Lego ))
  3. Objectives are now easily screwed in to the bottom of the optical tube with metal internal threads
  4. A 32mm mineral glass for the platform
  5. Integrated stepper motor mounting
  6. A 3D printed rack attached to the optical tube
  7. Stronger over all
  8. Less parts to print
  9. Cheap as ever

  
  

  How many design iterations did it take?

  Well over 20 for some and only minor adjustments for others. Here is a look at the CAD render. 

  
  

  Below is a look at all the parts used:

  Note: I should be getting to uploading the design files tomorrow. But know that the ones that say v3 on them are the correct parts to print for the newest design. You will also need "microscope base" and "base plate" .STL files.

  How do I build it?

  Well first stop procrastinating and start printing the parts. Then buy some objectives and a Pi. 

  As for printing:

  I have three different print layer sizes to choose from. 

  0.1 mm - you want a show piece microscope that does work!

  0.15 mm - you want a functional microscope to show to friends and family \o/

  0.2 mm - you want to have a really nice looking paper weight that does not function...

  All the holes are slightly under sized so you can carve them out a bit for a better fit. 

  Enjoy!

  Apollo 

• New Github Link

  Arch Reactor • 09/30/2016 at 20:45 • 0 comments

  For those looking for our newest files. We have connected them to the Arch Reactor Github here:

  Arch Reactor Github
  

• Design Revision V3

  Arch Reactor • 09/30/2016 at 20:30 • 0 comments

  Hello all o//

  I have put a lot of thought in making the microscope more usable and on the same level as other microscopes. To that end we have been designing a newer optical tube element and gearing. At the moment it is using Lego gears however we are switching to pre-made injection molded gears for reduced backlash. This newer version also adds a rotatable objective element that houses 4 objective lenses. It will also have a very nicely spun molded casing with a build it Pi foundation 7 Inch display.

  We are also incorporation the motor into the frame to reduce part count and mesh with the gear reduction. The optical tube now features a 3D printable gear rack that not only gives the design a refined look it does away with the older fishing line method that was know to slip or become non operational after a long period.

  It also has been exiting to see many individuals approaching us on the project wanting to make it there self's and has been a very rewarding project.

  Below are some sneak peaks of the design and I hope you enjoy the refinements.

  The current shell design.

  Thanks for looking and make sure to comment below!

  Apollo

• Improvements being made

  Arch Reactor • 08/22/2016 at 14:49 • 0 comments

  We are moving on to a version 2 our of microscope. We have the basics working. We are now going to see if we can improve the quality of the images. They are adequate, but we want better. In addition, we are creating a custom body that will incorporate some new display features. This should help increase our refresh rate, and give better visualization of the slides.

• Software Updates

  Arch Reactor • 08/03/2016 at 16:42 • 0 comments

  Now that we have a working prototype, we are turning to upgrades. We have recruited some new help to upgrade our software. We will be improve our web interface and begin working on the X/Y stitching application.

• Overview of Microscope

  Arch Reactor • 07/10/2016 at 01:31 • 0 comments

  Just a quick video explaning the differnt elements of the microscope.

• All your base are belong to us

  Arch Reactor • 07/10/2016 at 01:15 • 0 comments

  Hello,

  We have been busy with the electronics side of the scope. We have for a while now been wanting to place the electronics in a small enclosure that would ether attach to or lay beside the scope. However someone had a idea to make the base what holds the scope upright and the electronics.

  So I laser cut some fancy bamboo plywood into upper and lower plates that sandwich the electronics between them.

  The electronics are a Adafruit battery charger that links with a 2500 mah li-ion battery. The output feeds a newly acquired 5 amp step up DC- DC converter. The output 5 volts from the converter runs the LED, Pi 3 and Stepper motor. I added a manual 1k ohm potentiometer to the LED as I like the feel of a mechanical dimmer for the main light.

  The top most layer is very clean and is only broken up by a few elements. Though the DB9 motor power connector feeds though nicely and the black lens assembly ties well into the rest of the microscope.

  Here is a picture of the final look of the scope with the newly added bamboo base with integrated electronics. I will be adding the files over the next hour or so. This way you can make your own base if you would like.
  

  The images are from the updated light and base are looking very clear. Above is a picture of Taenia pisiformis or commonly called the rabbit tapeworm. You can find out more information here.

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