https://github.com/mmalecki/rapiscope
Rack and pinion-adjustable, rapidly 3D-printable, Raspberry Pi-based digital microscope for soldering
https://github.com/mmalecki/rapiscope
3d-printing electronics microscope open-hardware soldering
Last synced: 10 months ago
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Rack and pinion-adjustable, rapidly 3D-printable, Raspberry Pi-based digital microscope for soldering
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/mmalecki/rapiscope
- Owner: mmalecki
- License: mit
- Created: 2023-05-14T21:27:36.000Z (almost 3 years ago)
- Default Branch: latest
- Last Pushed: 2023-06-24T00:03:12.000Z (over 2 years ago)
- Last Synced: 2024-10-18T06:21:22.008Z (over 1 year ago)
- Topics: 3d-printing, electronics, microscope, open-hardware, soldering
- Language: OpenSCAD
- Homepage:
- Size: 11.1 MB
- Stars: 6
- Watchers: 2
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 6
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# Rapiscope
The rack and pinion-adjustable, rapidly 3D-printable, Raspberry Pi-based digital microscope for soldering (and more!).
## What is it?
This project uses:
* Raspberry Pi 3 or 4
* Raspberry Pi HQ camera with a C-mount microscope lens
* v-slot aluminium profiles
* a bunch of commodity fasteners and bearings I had laying around
to create a digital microscope with a regulated working distance (and therefore, zoom).
It utilizes a 3D printed version of a mechanism that's been commonplace in analog microscopes
for ages - the [rack and pinion](https://www.microscope-antiques.com/randp.html), driven by a
worm gear to ensure self-locking (knob removed for demonstration purposes):
## Motivations
While this entire project can be bought as a unit (be it with a built-in
screen, or only a camera, sometimes with a helping hand) from various manufacturers,
DYI'ing allowed me to build this from reusable and commodity components.
I was also able to introduce a motion system that doesn't rely on me holding the lens as I move it.
Thanks to the use of aluminium profiles for the structure, I will be able to easily
extend this with your usual soldering station suspects - for example, a fume extractor.
Additionally, with the Raspberry Pi on board, I can look both at the thing I'm soldering,
and its schematics, on one screen.
## Building
If you're interested in building the Rapiscope, check out:
* [bill of materials](./docs/bill-of-materials.md)
* [build guide](./docs/build-guide.md)
## Acknowledgements and prior work
* [/u/SilentMobius](https://www.reddit.com/user/SilentMobius/)' [Raspberry Pi Microscope](https://www.reddit.com/r/raspberry_pi/comments/oukppg/raspberry_pi_hq_camera_microscope_v2/)
* [OpenFlexure](https://openflexure.org/projects/microscope/) - this is where to go if you were looking for something more classic microscope-y rather than work-station-microscope-y