Glass Microscope Slide Holder For OpenFlexure Block Stage

Overview & Rationale

The OpenFlexure Block Stage has a grid of 8 mounting holes. This holder screws to it, and has two sprung arms that will grip a square of glass made from a microscope slide, approximately 25mm on a side.

This was designed to provide easily removable building platforms for the μRepRap micron-scale 3D printer.

Printing

Prints from PLA with no brim on a Prusa Mk4.

Assembly

Fit to the stage with 3 x 5mm M3 screws. It is best to tap the screw holes in the stage with just an M3 screw before attempting to fit the holder. The angled corner faces the fixed stage on the side of the OpenFlexure Block Stage body.

Use

Cut a square from a standard microscope slide. Typically these have a 3:1 aspect ratio and are basically 1 inch by 3 inches in old money. This will provide 3 squares approximately 25mm on a side. This is easily achieved by scoring the glass with a glass cutter or file (a Swiss Army Knife saw/file blade works remarkably well), balancing the slide with the score mark uppermost along a toothpick, matchstick etc., and gradually applying firm pressure to each side from the top of the slide. Finger protection is strongly advised.

The sprung arms are then parted, allowing the square of glass to be placed diagonally in the cavity on the top of the holder. Spreading the arms can either be done by pressing them back with fingers (this requires practice) or poking at them individually with a convenient narrow tool.

To remove the square, spring one arm back and lift the slide from the nearest corner.

Files

As well as the STL the OpenSCAD source files are provided. There is the main code, and a library for M3 fasteners.