Open-source Optical Rail Mount for OpenBeam

pinshape

Summary This is part of a system of prints that turns an Open Beam into an optical rail. An optical rail is a long, straight, sturdy rail onto which optical components such as light sources and lenses can be bolted down and easily shifted along the length of the rail. Commercial optical rail sells for $115/ft. Open beam only costs $10/m or $12/m for the fancy black anodized stuff. You get the idea. This component is part of the Open-source optics project, whose goal is to radically reduce the cost of scientific optical hardware: by the [Michigan Tech's Open Sustainability Technology Research Group]( http://www.mse.mtu.edu/MOST). For similar see the Open-Source Lab How to Build Your Own Hardware and Reduce Research Costs Instructions OpenSCAD code included for modifications. Just print on your favorite open source 3D printer and clean up. You can use a pretty low infill for this kind of a part. You'll need 3-M3 Nuts and a Low profile M3x20/25mm Screw. You need 2 of the 3 M3 nuts for the thumb screw. If you look at the Lens holder thumbscrew, it will be put together in the same way, except instead of the head of the screw, it will be a nut. The mount slides onto the OpenBeam as seen in the pictures. You secure it in place with a combination of m3s and our optical thumb screw. Then mount optical components using 8mm diameter smooth rod. You can get OpenBeam at http://www.openbeamusa.com/Extrusions/ More information see this This component is part of the Open-source Optics Library: Zhang C, Anzalone NC, Faria RP, Pearce JM (2013) Open-Source 3D-Printable Optics Equipment. PLoS ONE 8(3): e59840. This is part of a larger project to reduce the cost of scientific equipment using open-source hardware. Read more here Thanks to Nick for the OpenSCAD code and Terence Tam for Open Beam.