View source for 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 [http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0059840 open access]

==Abstract==
[[Image:Lens-holder.jpg|250px|right]]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==
[[image:Journal.pone.0059840.t001.png|800px]]

* [http://www.appropedia.org/Open_source_optics Open source optics] - a category of this work on Appropedia
* [http://www.thingiverse.com/jpearce/collections/open-source-optics A collection of free and open-source printable optics equipment on Thingiverse]

==See Also==
* [[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
* [http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=53423 Open-Source 3-D Printable Optics Library Introduced] - Photonics.com
* [http://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
* [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
* [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
* [http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1112812371/researcher-cuts-optics-laboratory-costs/ Researcher Cuts Optics Laboratory Costs] - Red Orbit
* [http://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2013/march/story87386.html 3D Printing Slashes Optics Lab Costs] - Michigan Tech News
* [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)
* [http://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]
* [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
* [http://www.3dprinterclassifieds.com/blog/2013/04/3d-printed-optical-hardware-cuts-lab-costs/ 3D Printed Optical Hardware Cuts Lab Costs ] - 3D Printer Classifieds
* [http://www.materialstoday.com/view/31624/3d-printing-slashes-optics-lab-costs/ 3-D printing slashes optics lab costs - Open Source Hardware] - Materials Today
* [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
* [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
* [http://seniorvoiceamerica.com/2013/04/14/are-you-going-napstered-and-what-exactly-printing/ Health, Wealth & Wisdom on 1470 AM WMGG]
* [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
* [http://voxelfab.com/blog/2013/04/open-source-3d-printable-optical-equipment-library/ Open Source 3D printable optical equipment library] - VoxelFab Blog
* [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


[[Category:Manufacturing]]
[[Category:3D Printing]]