OpenFlexure Microscope v7.0.0-beta4

Announcements
1

We are very very close to releasing version 7 of the microscope hardware. Very soon we will do a “Release Candidate” from that point we will only fix serious bugs before the v7.0.0 full release.

However we are not quite ready to do the release candidate so we have put out one final Beta release.

Introducing The OpenFlexure Microscope v7.0.0-beta4

This has:

  • Considerably better instructions for the electronics
  • Includes the Manual microscope
  • Improves the printing of the nut traps
  • Strengthens the stand-offs on the camera platforms

As well as a lot of other small fixes. The full changelog can be found on GitLab.

What next

@WilliamW and I need to make a final plan for what needs fixing before the Release Candidate. I think the main thing is protecting the C270 camera on the manual. We will be making a GitLab milestone soon. Please shout at us if you think there is something desperate to do before the release.

Major changes, such as new microscopy modes will be pushed to v7.1.0

6 Likes
3

A huge thank you to @j.stirling for continuing development of GitBuilding, the software that we use to generate our documentation. Much of the documentation improvement here would not have been possible (or would have been a real pain to keep up to date) without new features released in GitBuilding since our v7.0.0-beta3 Microscope release.

1 Like
4

I love the improved instructions! With the improvement in the nut traps, does this mean that an M3x8 screw is not required for installing the nuts anymore?

Are the only other hardware changes in the 3D prints, or have there been changes to the BoM too?

1 Like
5

M3x8 screw was officially not needed before, but a lot of people found it useful. It should now all be easy with M3x10, it would be useful to have feedback on whether that is true!

The BOM adds an extra ‘spare nut’ I think for the new way of installing the hex head screws in the large gears. I have not done a side-by-side check of beta3 and beta4 BOM for other changes.

Edit:
Now I have fully checked. For the main versions the additional items in the BOM are

One ‘spare M3 nut’ for the step to embed the hex head bolts in the large gears.
One more ‘M3 nut’ (total 15 not 14) for testing the nut trap in the new nut trap test part.
Micro SD card that was missing in the description, as mentioned by @j.stirling below.

For the Upright version the written BOM is different because parts were missing from the descriptions before. The only actual changes are two more nuts as for the other versions.

1 Like
6

The BOM is now a little larger because it doesn’t overlook things we always needed like the SD card. But otherwise should be the same.

3 Likes