Webcam Microscope Mount

thingiverse

There are plenty of quick guides out there on the internets that'll show you how to convert a cheap & cheerful webcam into a DIY microscope. Basically all that's required is to screw out the focus lens, flip it, and somehow stick it back on. My approach was to mangle the case and remove the logic board, and then design and print a little mount to hold the lens and the board together. It's awkward, but it works. I've included two shots of the pixels from my HTC Hero taken with this microscope, and a picture of the microscope itself. Instructions This is designed as a parametric OpenSCAD script: You're expected to open it in OpenSCAD, and enter all the relevant values. Because I write this in one sitting and I'm distracted/tired, I'd expect many of the parameters to be mis-named or generally confusing. Thankfully, as it's set up right now it'll render the mount and the ghostly images of the lens/logic board so you can play with the values until it looks right and they are spaced appropriately. I also included what I printed, but a close look at my actual print will reveal that I'm having trouble with my bot at present; too much plastic everywhere! So the file that still needed vicious hacking with a razor blade for me will probably be way too "spacious" for your parts. Go compile your own, you'll get much better results. If you don't have access to a Reprap/Makerbot but want one for DIYbio, compile one that looks right and then upload/order through Shapeways. Don't forget to upload pictures if you make one!