OpenFlexure Microscope (high-res build, v7.0.0-beta5)

This lab involves the construction of a high-resolution, laboratory-grade automated microscope using open-source hardware and 3D-printed components. Students assemble a sophisticated optomechanical system featuring flexure-based mechanics for sub-micron precision without traditional bearings. The build integrates a Raspberry Pi 4B single-board computer, a specialized Sangaboard motor controller, and a high-performance imaging path using ThorLabs achromatic lenses and standard microscope objectives. Participants learn the principles of digital microscopy, motorized motion control, and precise optical alignment, while gaining hands-on experience in hardware-software integration for scientific instrumentation and automated imaging.

OpenFlexure Raspberry Pi Sangaboard digital microscopy 3D printing additive manufacturing optomechanics stepper motors motion control precision engineering laboratory instrumentation ThorLabs optics achromatic lens Raspberry Pi Camera Sony IMX219 SBC flexure mechanics automated imaging

Uploaded by demo on 2026-07-19 · ready · Electronics · Original source ↗

Files: high_res_microscope_BOM.csv · high_res_microscope_BOM.html · high_res_microscope.html · NSF_ATE_provenance.txt

Readiness checks

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Latest report — 2026-07-19 19:49

Readiness: OpenFlexure Microscope (high-res build, v7.0.0-beta5)

Verdict: Ready · 2026-07-19 · est. parts cost $215–$305

This is a cold check establishing the baseline for the OpenFlexure Microscope v7.0.0-beta5. All critical electronic modules, laboratory-grade optics, and specialized mechanical hardware are currently available from a combination of specialist manufacturers (TauLab, ThorLabs) and general electronics retailers. No parts in the bill of materials are currently obsolete or out of stock.

Action required

None — all checked parts are sourceable.

Parts

Main Electronic Modules and Boards

Part Spec/Package Status Stock Price Source
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Single-board computer Ready High $38.15 CanaKit
Sangaboard v0.5 RP2040-based Motor Controller Ready Active £23.00 TauLab
Raspberry Pi Camera Module v2 Sony IMX219 sensor Ready Active $15.95 PiShop USA
Illumination PCB OFMv7 Illumination Kit Ready Active £4.00 TauLab

Optical Components

Part Spec/Package Status Stock Price Source
12.7 mm Achromatic Lens ThorLabs AC127-050-A Ready In stock $64.83 ThorLabs
Microscope Objective Generic RMS Thread Ready High $13.45 Walmart
Condenser Lens 13 mm x 5 mm PMMA Ready High ~$15.00 Amazon (50pk)

Electromechanical and Connectivity

Part Spec/Package Status Stock Price Source
28BYJ-48 Stepper Motors 5 V geared version Ready High $4.14 StepperOnline
Pi Camera Ribbon Cable 200 mm, Type B FFC Ready 1431 $0.85 Newark
Female-Female Jumpers 30 cm Ready High $0.50 SparkFun
2-pin Connector Housing 2.54 mm pitch Ready High $5.49 Banggood (Kit)

Fasteners and Mechanical Support

Part Spec/Package Status Stock Price Source
M3 Cap Head Screws M3 x 10 mm (WF2345) Ready In stock $0.18 AndyMark
M3 Hex Nuts (Stainless) A2 Stainless (WF1255) Ready In stock $3.42 Grainger (50pk)
M3 Hex Nuts (Brass) Brass (WF20152) Ready In stock $3.01 RS America
M3 Hex Bolts M3 x 25 mm Full Thread Ready In stock $9.44 Walmart
M3 Washers Form A (WF1189) Ready In stock $2.08 Grainger (100pk)
No. 2 Self-Tapping 6.5 mm Pozi Pan (WF825) Ready 1302 £1.02 Westfield
Viton O-rings 30 mm ID, 2 mm thick Ready High $0.55 Oringsandmore

Materials and Consumables

Part Spec/Package Status Stock Price Source
PLA Filament 1.75 mm, Black/Any Ready High $11.99 eSUN
Polypropylene Sheet 0.5 mm White Ready Active $18.50 eBay
Micro SD Card 8 GB minimum Ready High $3.00 eBay
Light Oil RS 252-0168 / Generic Ready Active $2.50 Micro-Tools

Substitutes

None needed.

Instructors should verify any substitute against its datasheet before ordering.

Other dependencies

  • 3D Fabrication: Requires FFF printer with minimum 180 x 180 x 180 mm build volume.
  • Firmware and Software: OpenFlexure v7.0.0-beta5 and associated server software remain active on GitLab as of 2026.
  • External Links: Documentation sites build.openflexure.org and taulab.eu are active.
  • Pi Camera Lens Tool: 3D-printable workaround tool provided in design files if physical tool is missing from camera module.

Watch list

  • Raspberry Pi 4 Model B: Retail pricing is highly volatile ($38–$165). Standardize on 1GB or 2GB variants to maintain budget.
  • Specialist PCBs: Sangaboard and Illumination kits ship from specialty vendors in the UK (TauLab); international shipping may impact timelines.
  • ThorLabs AC127-050-A: A high-precision optic with limited authorized distributors. Manufacturer-direct pricing is the most stable reference.
Snapshot What the lab depended on when it was uploaded — the baseline the readiness checks research against.

This snapshot documents the temporal dependencies for the OpenFlexure Microscope (high-resolution build, v7.0.0-beta5). The project builds a laboratory-grade motorized microscope using a combination of 3D-printed flexure mechanics, high-precision ThorLabs optics, and a Raspberry Pi-based control system. The electronics consist of a Raspberry Pi 4B host and a custom Sangaboard motor controller; the system operates primarily on a 5 V DC rail provided via USB-C to the Raspberry Pi, with 5 V power distributed to the motors and illumination system.

Parts List

Main Electronic Modules and Boards

The primary logic and control are handled by modular boards. Note that specific internal component lists (resistors, ICs) for the Sangaboard and Illumination PCB were not provided in the source files, as these are treated as pre-assembled kits in this version of the lab.

  • Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

    • Identity: Raspberry Pi 4B (RS Components 182-2096).
    • Quantity: 1.
    • Package: Single-board computer.
    • Electrical Constraints: 5 V input via USB-C.
    • Substitution Latitude: High-res build requires the processing power of a Pi 4; Pi 3B+ may work but is not the specified target for this beta version.
    • Sourcing Plan: retail shopping search: Raspberry Pi 4B.

  • Sangaboard v0.5

    • Identity: Taulab Sangaboard v0.5 (Motor Controller).
    • Quantity: 1.
    • Package: Custom PCB (hat/shield style).
    • Electrical Constraints: Controls 5 V stepper motors; communicates via USB or GPIO.
    • Substitution Latitude: Critical part for motor control. Documentation mentions a "workaround motor electronics" alternative using discrete components if this board is unavailable.
    • Sourcing Plan: general web research: Taulab Sangaboard v0.5.

  • Raspberry Pi Camera Module v2

    • Identity: Raspberry Pi Camera Module v2 (Sony IMX219 sensor).
    • Quantity: 1.
    • Package: Camera module with CSI interface.
    • Substitution Latitude: Specific to the optics module design. Newer v3 (autofocus) modules have different physical dimensions and software requirements.
    • Sourcing Plan: retail shopping search: Raspberry Pi Camera Module v2.1 8MP.

  • Illumination PCB

    • Identity: Taulab OFMv7 Illumination Kit.
    • Quantity: 1.
    • Package: Custom small-form PCB.
    • Electrical Constraints: 5 V LED supply.
    • Substitution Latitude: Can be replaced by a standard 5 mm LED using the "LED workaround" procedure described in the lab.
    • Sourcing Plan: general web research: OpenFlexure Illumination PCB.

Optical Components

These parts define the imaging path and have very specific physical and thread constraints.

  • 12.7 mm Achromatic Lens

    • Identity: ThorLabs AC127-050-A.
    • Quantity: 1.
    • Spec: 12.7 mm diameter, 50 mm focal length achromatic doublet.
    • Substitution Latitude: Must be 12.7 mm diameter to fit the 3D-printed optics tube. Focal length must be 50 mm to achieve the design's tube length/magnification.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: ThorLabs AC127-050-A.

  • Microscope Objective

    • Identity: Microscope Objective (Generic).
    • Quantity: 1.
    • Spec: RMS (Royal Microscopy Society) thread.
    • Substitution Latitude: Any standard RMS-threaded objective (e.g., 4x, 10x, 40x, 100x). Design is built specifically for RMS threading.
    • Sourcing Plan: retail shopping search: RMS microscope objective.

  • Condenser Lens

    • Identity: PMMA Condenser Lens.
    • Quantity: 1.
    • Spec: 13 mm diameter, 5 mm thickness.
    • Substitution Latitude: Common in generic LED optics. Physical dimensions are critical for the 3D-printed mount.
    • Sourcing Plan: general web research: 13mm 5mm PMMA lens.

Electromechanical and Connectivity

Components that bridge the control electronics to the physical microscope.

  • 28BYJ-48 Micro Geared Stepper Motors

    • Identity: 28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor.
    • Quantity: 3.
    • Package: Standard small unipolar stepper with 5-pin JST connector.
    • Electrical Constraints: 5 V nominal.
    • Substitution Latitude: Must be the geared version of 28BYJ-48 to match the internal gearing and resolution of the OpenFlexure software.
    • Sourcing Plan: retail shopping search: 28BYJ-48 5V stepper motor.

  • Pi Camera Ribbon Cable (200 mm)

    • Identity: FFC Ribbon Cable (Farnell 3385343).
    • Quantity: 1.
    • Spec: 15-pin, 200 mm length, Type B (contacts on opposite sides).
    • Substitution Latitude: Type B orientation is mandatory; Type A (contacts on same side) will not work or may cause electrical shorts.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: Multicomp Pro MP-FFCA10152003B.

  • Jumper Cables and Connectors

    • Identity: Pre-crimped Female-Female Jumper Wires (30 cm).
    • Quantity: 2 (1 Black, 1 Red).
    • Identity: 2-pin Du Pont Connector Housing.
    • Quantity: 2.
    • Substitution Latitude: Standard 2.54 mm pitch (0.1 inch) prototyping hardware. Used for LED/illumination wiring.
    • Sourcing Plan: retail shopping search: 2-pin Dupont housing and FF jumpers.

Fasteners and Mechanical Support

The build relies on metric hardware for assembly and precision movement.

  • M3 Cap Head Screws

    • Identity: M3 x 10 mm Socket Head Cap (Allen) Screw (A2 Stainless).
    • Quantity: 18 (17 for build, 1 extra for nut trapping tool).
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup (representative example): Westfield Fasteners WF2345.

  • M3 Hex Nuts (Stainless)

    • Identity: M3 Hex Nut (A2 Stainless).
    • Quantity: 22 (21 for build, 1 extra for gear assembly).
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup (representative example): Westfield Fasteners WF1255.

  • M3 Hex Nuts (Brass)

    • Identity: M3 Hex Nut (Brass).
    • Quantity: 3.
    • Substitution Latitude: Brass is preferred for the lead-screw mechanism to minimize friction against the stainless steel bolts.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup (representative example): Westfield Fasteners WF20152.

  • M3 Hex Bolts (Full Thread)

    • Identity: M3 x 25 mm Hex Bolt (A2 Stainless).
    • Quantity: 4.
    • Spec: Full thread is required for use as lead screws.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup (representative example): Westfield Fasteners WF1662.

  • M3 Washers

    • Identity: M3 Form A Washer (A2 Stainless).
    • Quantity: 8.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup (representative example): Westfield Fasteners WF1189.

  • No. 2 Self-Tapping Screws

    • Identity: No. 2 x 6.5 mm Pozi Pan Self-Tapping Screw.
    • Quantity: 18.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup (representative example): Westfield Fasteners WF825.

  • Viton O-rings

    • Identity: Viton O-ring, 30 mm ID, 2 mm thickness (Simply Bearings 513396).
    • Quantity: 3.
    • Substitution Latitude: Used as "Viton bands" for tensioning the flexure mechanism. Material (Viton) is chosen for its specific elasticity and durability.
    • Sourcing Plan: retail shopping search: 30mm x 2mm Viton O-ring.

Materials and Consumables

  • PLA Filament: 380 g standard (any color), 20 g Black (mandatory for the optics module to minimize internal reflections). Sourcing: retail shopping.
  • 0.5 mm Polypropylene Sheet: 4 cm² (White). Used for light diffusion in the illumination module. Sourcing: retail shopping (e.g., Kitronik 43142).
  • Micro SD Card: Minimum 8 GB for Raspberry Pi OS and OpenFlexure software. Sourcing: retail shopping.
  • Light Oil: 3 drops (e.g., RS 252-0168). Critical for lubricating the M3 lead screws to prevent plastic wear. Sourcing: retail shopping.

Other Temporal Dependencies

  • 3D Fabrication: The design requires a Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) printer. The "main body" is a large, complex print with integrated flexures. If 3D printing technology changes or PLA material specs shift significantly (e.g., toward more brittle or more flexible blends), the mechanical behavior of the flexures will change.
  • Firmware and Software: The lab depends on the Raspberry Pi OS and the OpenFlexure software stack (OpenFlexure Connect/Server). These are hosted on GitLab and the OpenFlexure build server. The build specifically references v7.0.0-beta5.
  • External Links: The documentation relies heavily on build.openflexure.org and taulab.eu for specialty kits (Sangaboard, Illumination PCB). If these sites go offline, the custom electronics become "General Web Research" challenges to find old design files for local fabrication.
  • Pi Camera Lens Tool: This is a small plastic wrench used to adjust the focus of the Pi Camera v2. It is often included with the camera, but the lab provides a 3D-printable "workaround lens removal tool" if it is missing.