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==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Building research equipment with free, open-source hardware]] | * [[Building research equipment with free, open-source hardware]] | ||
==News Coverage== | |||
* [http://eandt.theiet.org/news/2013/mar/optics-opensource.cfm Open-source 3D-printable optics to slash lab costs] - Engineering & Technology Magazine | |||
[[Category:Optics]] | [[Category:Optics]] |
Revision as of 12:57, 28 March 2013
Source: Zhang C, Anzalone NC, Faria RP, Pearce JM (2013) Open-Source 3D-Printable Optics Equipment. PLoS ONE 8(3): e59840. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0059840 open access
Abstract
Just as the power of the open-source design paradigm has driven down the cost of software to the point that it is accessible to most people, the rise of open-source hardware is poised to drive down the cost of doing experimental science to expand access to everyone. To assist in this aim, this paper introduces a library of open-source 3-D-printable optics components. This library operates as a flexible, low-cost public-domain tool set for developing both research and teaching optics hardware. First, the use of parametric open-source designs using an open-source computer aided design package is described to customize the optics hardware for any application. Second, details are provided on the use of open-source 3-D printers (additive layer manufacturing) to fabricate the primary mechanical components, which are then combined to construct complex optics-related devices. Third, the use of the open-source electronics prototyping platform are illustrated as control for optical experimental apparatuses. This study demonstrates an open-source optical library, which significantly reduces the costs associated with much optical equipment, while also enabling relatively easily adapted customizable designs. The cost reductions in general are over 97%, with some components representing only 1% of the current commercial investment for optical products of similar function. The results of this study make its clear that this method of scientific hardware development enables a much broader audience to participate in optical experimentation both as research and teaching platforms than previous proprietary methods.
Results
- Open source optics - a category of this work on Appropedia
- A collection of free and open-source printable optics equipment on Thingiverse
See Also
News Coverage
- Open-source 3D-printable optics to slash lab costs - Engineering & Technology Magazine