10. Open Source Hardware - From Fibers to Fabric¶

This week we visited Kniterate, a knitting machine company based in Barcelona and learned all about how knitwear has evolved with knitting machines.

Then we had to create our own machine that would be used in our local labs. We were provided a list of projects that could be used as a reference to build a specific design. I worked with Rigina to create a microscope.

Refrences & Inspiration¶

We checked out the example of the Microscope with a web camera project to understand our task.

full project here

Research¶

Microscope: an instrument that produces enlarged images of small objects, allowing the observer to see the details of an object scale that for examination and analysis.

The word “microscope” comes from the Latin “microscopium,” which is derived from the Greek words “mikros,” meaning “small,” and “skopein,” meaning “to look at.” The development of the microscope allowed scientists to make new insights into the body and disease.

It’s not clear who invented the first microscope, but the Dutch spectacle maker Zacharias Janssen (b.1585) is credited with making one of the earliest compound microscopes (ones that used two lenses) around 1600. The earliest microscopes could magnify an object up to 20 or 30 times its normal size.

Compound microscope designed by Robert Hooke, 1671–1700, and thought to have been made by Christopher Cock of Covent Garden, London.

more about this

More information about the technology of microscopes and prices

here

IDEATION & DESING¶

The idea was to create a compact, portable design and assembly the pieces. We got inspired from the design bellow

BYO-micro

more info here

-with the evolution of technology, you are able to see the sample's details through your phone to make it easier to use

-you can place your phone anywhere and still be able to zoom in and test materials

-smart design easy to use and assembly

DIY MICROSCOPE DESIGN¶

When creating the design we wanted to replicate a puzzle or a simple assembly method.

Rough sketches

SKETCH2

3D PRINTED CAMERA HOLDER¶

The printing was done with PLA filament and at a layer height of 0.28, which gave us 2 hours of printing.

3dprint

3D printing with resin

For the resin, the standard one was used, it took approximately 6 hours and the curing time with ultraviolet light was 12 minutes. The imoresion quality was excellent, the screw mechanism was printed very well.

resinprint

We had to change the 3d printed camera holder to fit with the cables

ELECTRONIC CONNECTION¶

circuit

pins

It is important to review the datasheet of each board with a camera since the pins change, there are models similar to this esp32, the only difference is that they have a microphone.

The components were then welded and secured to the structure.

To protect the connections, a heat-shrinkable tube was used, to which when you add heat with a lighter or the soldering iron itself, it does not burn, it will only fit around the cables. Isolating them