Open-source Optical Rail Mount for OpenBeam

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This is part of a system of prints that transforms 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 securely fastened and easily shifted along the length of the rail. Commercial optical rails sell for $115 per foot. Open beams only cost $10 per meter or $12 per meter for the high-end black anodized material. You get the idea. This component is part of the Open-source Optics project, whose goal is to drastically lower the cost of scientific optical hardware: by the Michigan Tech's Open Sustainability Technology Research Group. For similar projects see the Open-Source Lab How to Build Your Own Hardware and Reduce Research Costs Instructions OpenSCAD code is included for modifications. Simply print on your preferred open-source 3D printer and clean up. You can use a relatively low infill for this type of part. You'll need three M3 nuts and a low-profile M3x20/25mm screw. You will require two of the three M3 nuts for the thumb screw. If you examine the Lens holder thumbscrew, it will be assembled in the same manner, 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 obtain OpenBeams at http://www.openbeamusa.com/Extrusions/ More information is available here 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.