7/31/24- Just finished a version 7 high resolution build using IO Rodeo’s parts only kit. The parts kit from IO Rodeo included all of the nicely labeled hardware , the Raspberry Pi camera and a pre-programmed Sanga motor controller, pre loaded SD card, as well as extra spare parts. IO Rodeo also very thoughtfully supplied some links to some OpenFlexure build tips on their web site blog.
I printed all of the parts at a local makerspace using a Bambu Carbon X1. The total print time was approximately 16 hours. The hardest part of the build for me was to get the objective in a range that would focus with the flexure travel centered. I did have some minor trouble with the captive nut spinning in the objective tube - fixed with a piece of toothpick. Taking some time to carefully adjust the light source by focusing on a piece of paper and centering made a huge difference in the images
The “Using the OpenFlexure Microscope” document in another build report in this forum section from the author Wilhelmsson is very helpful. It explains the X,Y,Z directions and has some excellent operation tips and tricks. Especially useful is information on centering the stage and zeroing the X,Y, and Z positions after each session.
The images are stunning. The software is very interesting & has a lot of capability.
With the captive nut rotating, this is the one for the screw that holds the optics module in the body? I made some changes to that nut slot for v7.0.0-beta2, did you print from files downloaded recently from the OpenFlexure web site? The overall parts photo looks as though that is what you have, but I cannot quite see the nut slot in the optics module to be sure.
Yes, I used the latest files - I may have over tightened it as I loosened that screw several times to lower that objective just a bit to keep the flexure more neutral. Thank you for asking!
I would hope that loosening and tightening a few times wouldn’t give the nut space to spin. Was this the RMS optics module? We should probably check the tolerance of that slot.
I also agree with William, the marbled grey looks really good. Almost as good as those images
Yes, it’s the RMS optics module. I just printed another one with a Bambu Carbon X1 - the slot measures approx. .0.233"(5.94mm) in width. The m3 nuts measure 0.213"(5.41mm) between the flats and .0.238"(6.06mm) between the points on the nut - not much keeping it from turning, at least with my print & hardware. All of the other parts fit perfectly, which seems like a great accomplishment!
I a reply to one of @WilliamW’s issues on the repository I have calculated very similar numbers to this. We have had issues with miss matched nut trap sizes for a while.
I have gone through and tidied up all the nut traps now to be based off calculations from the ISO specification of an M3 nut:
