The EnderScope is a low-cost scanning microscope, based on the mechanics of the ubiquitous 3D printer, the Ender 3 Pro. The hotend of the printer is replaced with an optics module, allowing for the reliable and well calibrated motion system of the 3D printer to be used for automated scanning over a large area.
Thanks to your support we have reached our funding target on Experiment.com. Our next step is to get the EnderScope in the hands of Maker Spaces, Community Groups and Libraries accross Ireland.
Interested in taking part? Contact us on Twitter @PickeringLab or @Niamh_deBurca. Watch this space 👀!
| Part | Qty | Purpose | Source | Price € |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-printed Parts | ||||
| Ender 3 Pro | 1 | Motion system of EnderScope | Link to Ender | 224.65 |
| Keyboard & Mouse | 1 | Control of EnderScope | Link to keyboard and mouse | 15.48 |
| Monitor | 1 | Display for EnderScope | Link to Monitor | 58.16 |
| HDMI-micro HDMI | 1 | To connect Raspberry Pi to Monitor | Link to HDMI-microHDMI | 5.62 |
| 4x RMS Finite Conjugate Objective Lens | 1 | Link to objective lens | 8.63 | |
| Raspberry Pi HQ Camera | 1 | Link to HQ Camera | 56.54 | |
| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B | 1 | A low-cost computer used to run the EnderScope | Link to Raspberry Pi | 62.20 |
| Pi camera CSI cable (Long ~100cm) | 1 | Connect Raspberry Pi to HQ Camera | Link to CSI Cable | 6.32 |
| 5V Power Supply USB Type C | 2 | To power Raspberry Pi | Link to Raspberry Pi power supply | 9.69 |
| 5V Power Supply USB | 2 | To power Arduino Nano | Link to 5V power supply | 5.98 |
| Arduino Nano | 1 | To control LED ring | Link to Arduino | 21.60 |
| Push Button | 1 | Turn LED ring on, green or white | Link to push buttons | 8.09 |
| 220 Ohm Resistor | 1 | For push button | Link to resistors | 6.08 |
| 170 pin breadboard | 1 | For arduino and push button | Link to breadboard | 3.85 |
| Male to Male Jumper Wires | 7 | For wiring of LED ring and push button | Link to jumper wires | 1.99 |
| USB type A - mini B Cable | 1 | To connect Arduino Nano to 5V power supply | Link to USB mini cable | 3.05 |
| USB type A - Micro USB Cable | 1 | To connect Ender to Raspberry Pi | Link to micro USB cable | 5.07 |
| Lighting Gels | 1 | Used as Emmission Filter | Link to lighting gels | 7.66 |
| 16 LED Ring | 1 | Illumination Source for Microscope | Link to LED ring | 9.53 |
| Glass from picture frame, 2mm in thickness, 21x30cm | 1 | Used as a "coverslip" | Link to picture frame | 2.00 |
| Binder Clips | 4 | To hold glass on print bed | Link to binder clips | 2.38 |
| Screws, Nuts and Tools | ||||
| M6 12mm Screw | 1 | |||
| M6 Square Nut | 1 | |||
| Alan Keys | 1 | |||
| M3 Screws and Nuts | 4 screws, 4 nuts | |||
| Scissors | 1 | |||
| Total |
All 3D-printable files can be found here. All files were printed in PLA, with 0.2mm layer height, no supports needed.
All software for the EnderScope can be found here.
Assembly Instructions for the EnderScope can be found here.