{"id":46828,"key":"Open-source_3D-printable_optics_equipment","title":"Open-source 3D-printable optics equipment","latest":{"id":1224345,"timestamp":"2026-01-09T00:37:34Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"[[File:Lens-holder.jpg|thumb]]\n\n{{Publication data\n| type = Paper\n| cite-as = Zhang C, Anzalone NC, Faria RP, Pearce JM (2013) [https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0059840 Open-Source 3D-Printable Optics Equipment]. ''PLoS ONE'' 8(3): e59840. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0059840 [http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0059840 open access]\n}}\n\n{{Project data\n| authors = Zhang C, Anzalone NC, Faria RP, User:J.M.Pearce\n| status = Designed, Modelled, Prototyped, Verified\n| verified-by = MOST\n| location = Michigan, USA\n}}\n\n{{Device data}}\n\n{{MOST}}\n\nJust 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.\n\n== Results ==\n\n[[File:Journal.pone.0059840.t001.png|center|thumb|600x600px]]\n\n* [[Open source optics]] - a category of this work on Appropedia with dozens of examples\n* [https://www.thingiverse.com/jpearce/collections/open-source-optics A collection of free and open-source printable optics equipment on Thingiverse]\n\n=== Source ===\n\n* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:30729 Open Source Optical Rail from OpenBeam - Magnetic Base]\n* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:30524 OpenBeam T Bracket]\n* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:31370 OpenBeam Optical Rail Simple Rod Holder]\n* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:30491 Open-source Optical Rail Mount for OpenBeam]\n* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:28133 Open-source magnetic optics base]\n* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:31483 Square Filter Holder for Open-source Optics]\n* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:26752 Open-source lens holder]\n* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:30727 Kinematic mirror/lens mount]\n* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:28187 Open-source fiber optic holder]\n* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:31403 Screen holder for OpenBeam Optical Rail]\n* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:30688 Simple semiconductor sample holder v3]\n\n== See also ==\n\n* [[Open-source Lab]]\n* [[Building research equipment with free, open-source hardware]]\n* [[Open-source hardware for research and education]]\n* [[Open source 3D printers: an appropriate technology for building low cost optics labs for the developing communities]]\n* [[3-D printable open source dual axis gimbal system for optoelectronic measurements]]\n* [[Approaches to Open Source 3-D Printable Probe Positioners and Micromanipulators for Probe Stations]]\n\n== News Coverage ==\n\n* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130330085258/http://eandt.theiet.org:80/news/2013/mar/optics-opensource.cfm Open-source 3D-printable optics to slash lab costs] - Engineering & Technology Magazine\n* [http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=53423 Open-Source 3-D Printable Optics Library Introduced] - Photonics.com\n* [https://www.3ders.org/articles/20130328-michigan-tech-releases-open-source-3d-printable-optics-designs.html Michigan Tech releases open-source 3D-printable optics designs] - 3Ders\n* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160326231005/http://www.pddnet.com/news/2013/03/michigan-tech-researcher-slashes-optics-laboratory-costs Michigan Tech Researcher Slashes Optics Laboratory Costs] - Product Design and Development\n* [https://chronicle.com/blogs/percolator/lab-equipment-made-with-3-d-printers-could-cut-costs-by-97/32447?cid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en Lab Equipment Made With 3-D Printers Could Cut Costs by 97%] - Chronicle of Higher Education\n* [https://web.archive.org/web/20171028050508/http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1112812371/researcher-cuts-optics-laboratory-costs/ Researcher Cuts Optics Laboratory Costs] - Red Orbit\n* [https://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2013/march/story87386.html 3D Printing Slashes Optics Lab Costs] - Michigan Tech News\n* [http://www.michiganradio.org/post/study-3-d-printers-could-cut-lab-equipment-costs-97-percent Study: 3-D printers could cut lab equipment costs by 97 percent] - Michigan Radio (NPR)\n* [https://www.engineering.com/3DPrinting/3DPrintingArticles/ArticleID/5522/Michigan-Techs-Open-Source-Optics.aspx Michigan Tech's Open Source Optics] -- Engineering.com, [http://fabbaloo.com/blog/2013/4/5/michigan-techs-open-source-optics.html Fabbaloo]\n* [http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/04/01/mtu-profs-3d-printing-designs-slash-optics-lab-costs/ MTU Prof's 3D Printing Designs Slash Optics Lab Costs] - CBS Detroit\n* [https://web.archive.org/web/20200120224111/http://www.3dprinterclassifieds.com:80/blog/2013/04/3d-printed-optical-hardware-cuts-lab-costs/ 3D Printed Optical Hardware Cuts Lab Costs] - 3D Printer Classifieds\n* [http://www.materialstoday.com/view/31624/3d-printing-slashes-optics-lab-costs/ 3-D printing slashes optics lab costs - Open Source Hardware] - Materials Today\n* [http://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/2013/04/open-source-3d-printing-of-optical-mounts-cuts-costs-and-permits.html Open-source 3D printing of optical mounts cuts costs and permits customization] - Laser Focus World\n* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170215101113/http://coolscience.com.au/michigan-tech-scientist-uses-customizable-3-d-print-designs-to-cut-laboratory-setup-costs.php Michigan Tech Scientist Uses Customizable 3-D Print Designs To Cut Laboratory Setup Costs] -- Cool Science\n* [http://seniorvoiceamerica.com/2013/04/14/are-you-going-napstered-and-what-exactly-printing/ Health, Wealth & Wisdom on 1470 AM WMGG]\n* [http://blogs.physicstoday.org/newspicks/2013/04/lab-equipment-from-3d-printers-may-cut-costs-significantly/ Lab equipment from 3D printers may cut costs significantly] - Physics Today Blog\n* [http://voxelfab.com/blog/2013/04/open-source-3d-printable-optical-equipment-library/ Open Source 3D printable optical equipment library] - VoxelFab Blog\n* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150404050232/http://3dprintingindustry.com/2013/05/01/using-3d-printing-to-increase-the-collective-intelligence-of-everything/ Using 3D Printing to Increase the Collective Intelligence of Everything] - 3D Printing Industry\n* [http://theinstitute.ieee.org/people/profiles/less-expensive-and-greener-3d-printing Less Expensive and Greener 3-D Printing]- IEEE Institute\n* [http://3dprintinginsider.com/open-source-3d-printable-equipment-science_b3832 Open Source 3D Printable Equipment Will Make Science More Accessible and Affordable] - 3D Printing Insider\n* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160623151435/http://www.caddedge.com/3d-printing-and-rapid-prototyping-news/bid/176102/Optical-scientists-use-3D-printing-as-basis-for-open-source-software-project Optical scientists use 3D printing as basis for open source software project]- CADD Edge\n* [http://blog.makezine.com/2013/05/31/maker-pro-newsletter-15/ Buy 3D Printer, Reduce Costs by 97 Percent] - Maker Pro Newsletter\n* [http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=54063 Printable library makes one-of-a-kind optics affordable] - Photonics Spectra\n* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160424025810/http://3dprintingindustry.com:80/2014/02/18/medical-clinic-bolivian-rainforest-might-use-3d-printing/ How a Medical Clinic in the Bolivian Rainforest Might Use 3D Printing] -- 3D Printing Industry\n\n{{Page data\n| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0\n| keywords = osat, open source optics, 3d printing, open source hardware, optics equipment, open source library\n| sdg = SDG09 Industry innovation and infrastructure\n| authors = User:J.M.Pearce\n| published = 2013\n| organizations = MOST, MTU\n| description = Appropedia presents open-source optics tools that make lab work more accessible, offering low-cost designs that support research, learning, and sustainable education.\n}}\n\n[[Category:Optics]]\n[[Category:Open source hardware]]\n[[Category:MOST completed projects and publications]]\n[[Category:open source]]\n[[Category:open source optics]]\n[[Category:OSAT 3D-Printable Designs]]\n[[Category:Open source scientific hardware]]\n[[Category:3d printing]]"}