OpenFlexure Microscope Kit

This is an unassembled kit containing parts for making an OpenFlexure Microscope v7. The OpenFlexure Microscope is an open hardware, 3D-printed, lab-grade automated microscope. This open hardware science tool is highly customizable and can be used in a number of different applications. Since it was first introduced, the open hardware design files for the OpenFlexure microscope have been downloaded thousands of times. Learn more at Spotlight: Building an OpenFlexure Microscope.

The OpenFlexure Microscope kit contains most of the parts for making either the low-cost or the high-resolution of the OpenFlexure Microscope v7. The kit includes 3D-printed parts, hardware, electronics and motors as outlined below.

Kit Contents

Visit the Product Guide for a detailed list of the kit contents including photos of all of the parts. This checklist also lists all of the parts in the kit.

• 3D-printed microscope parts. Choose from listed color options or customize your microscope colors!
• 3D-printed black optics parts for making either the low-cost or high-resolution OpenFlexure microscope
• 3D-printed actuator assembly tools and lens tool
• Raspberry Pi Camera Board v2 - 8 Megapixels - with 20cm long flex ribbon cable and lens removal tool
• Sangaboard v0.5 - pre-programmed and tested
• 3 x 28BYJ-48 5V stepper motors
• 64GB High Speed MicroSD Card with Raspbian OpenFlexure OS
• Condenser Lens (5mm focal length plastic lens)
• Light Oil
• Illumination Kit: Illumination LED board with 12” long 2-pin cable and 3 x diffusers
• 2.5mm Ball-End Allen Key
• Hardware kit (11 x M3 10mm Socket Head Screws, 18 x 6.5mm self-tapping screws, 6 x M4 6mm Button Head Screws, 4 x M3 25mm Hex Bolt Screws, 3 x M3 Brass Nuts, 14 x M3 Hex Nuts, 8 x M3 Washers, 3 x O-Ring, 1 x M3 8mm Socket Head Screw, 1 x Bag of extra parts)

Additional Components Not Included

Raspberry Pi requirements

For both versions of the OpenFlexure microscope, you will also need a Raspberry Pi. As described in the Online Documentation, the microscope software supports Versions 3B, 3B+, and 4B. You can provide your own Raspberry Pi with power supply or you can purchase a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B and power supply from our online store.

• Raspberry Pi 4 Model B - 4 GB RAM (+$55)
• Raspberry Pi power supply, 5.1V 3A with USB C (+$7.95)

High-Resolution Optics Components

To build the High-Resolution version, you will also need to two additional optical components: 12.7mm achromatic doublet lens and microscope objective. You can supply your own optics for this part or purchase these from our online store. Currently we have the 12.7mm achromatic lens and 40X objective options available.

• Microscope Plan Objective 40X (+$60)
• 12.7 mm achromatic lens (+$25)

Customize your microscope colors!

One of the fun aspects of the OpenFlexure Microscope is the ability to customize the 3D-printed microscope colors. We have lots of filament colors available as listed in more detail on this page of the Product Guide. To order custom microscope colors, select the "custom" kit color option. Once you receive your order number, simply fill out the customize colors form to let us know which colors you want to use for your microscope. 

For each kit sold, 20% of profits is donated to the OpenFlexure development team.