Open-Source 3D-Printable Optics Equipment
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
- Open-Source 3-D Printable Optics Library Introduced - Photonics.com
- Michigan Tech releases open-source 3D-printable optics designs - 3Ders
- Michigan Tech Researcher Slashes Optics Laboratory Costs - Product Design and Development
- Lab Equipment Made With 3-D Printers Could Cut Costs by 97% - Chronicle of Higher Education
- Researcher Cuts Optics Laboratory Costs - Red Orbit
- 3D Printing Slashes Optics Lab Costs - Michigan Tech News
- Study: 3-D printers could cut lab equipment costs by 97 percent - Michigan Radio (NPR)
- Michigan Tech’s Open Source Optics -- Engineering.com, Fabbaloo
- MTU Prof’s 3D Printing Designs Slash Optics Lab Costs - CBS Detroit
- 3D Printed Optical Hardware Cuts Lab Costs - 3D Printer Classifieds
- 3-D printing slashes optics lab costs - Open Source Hardware - Materials Today
- Open-source 3D printing of optical mounts cuts costs and permits customization - Laser Focus World
- Michigan Tech Scientist Uses Customizable 3-D Print Designs To Cut Laboratory Setup Costs -- Cool Science
- Health, Wealth & Wisdom on 1470 AM WMGG
- Lab equipment from 3D printers may cut costs significantly - Physics Today Blog
- Open Source 3D printable optical equipment library - VoxelFab Blog
- Using 3D Printing to Increase the Collective Intelligence of Everything - 3D Printing Industry