I am looking at ordering PCBs and SMD components for the illumination module, but I noticed that the max current rating of the LED is 200mA, while the constant current driver only puts out 20mA. Is there a reason to do this and not use a higher current? I am using the illumination PCB to light a custom microscope that uses the optics from open flexure and so my illumination might be at a greater distance from the objective. Do you think it would be easy enough to find a higher constant current driver of similar form factor as a drop in replacement to get a brighter illumination (say 100mA)? I suppose I don’t have a sense for how bright it will be at 20mA.
Are you planning to use the Sangaboard v0.5 to drive motors on your microscope? If so, the illumination boards that can be supplied with it from various vendors do not have their own constant driver, there is a variable constant-current driver built in to the Sangsboard v0.5. The PCBs are D-shaped.
If you are not using a Sangaboard, then the round illuminaton PCB can be fitted with a range of constant current drivers. I have tried up to 160mA in the same form factor. This makes the board get very hot, even in free air. You would need a heatsink. 60mA is ok, from memory.
It is worth finding the Bridgelux BXEN-50s LEDs. They have no spectral gaps, unlike a lot of other ‘white’ LEDs that tend to be weak in the green.