Open Source Optical Rail from OpenBeam - Magnetic Base

Summary This is part of a system of prints that turns an OpenBeam 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 bolted down and easily shifted along the length of the rail. Commercial optical rail sells for $380/m ($115/ft). Open beam only costs $12/m for the fancy black anodized stuff. You get the idea. This component is part of the Open-source optics project, whose goal is to radically reduce the cost of scientific optical hardware: by the [Michigan Tech's Open Sustainability Technology Research Group]( http://www.mse.mtu.edu/MOST). For similar see the Open-Source Lab How to Build Your Own Hardware and Reduce Research Costs Instructions OpenSCAD code included for modifications. Just print on your favorite open source 3D printer and clean up. You will probably want to flip the stl and print from the easy side. You'll need an m3 screw and nut along with the magnet. Put the screw through the base and screw onto the OpenBeam with an m3 nut. Then press fit the magnet on top of it. We have all these old steel desks that work as great bases. If you do not have a metal base to put your open-source optical rail on you can just as easily make and openbeam into an optical rail by screwing on two T-brackets http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:30524 Next you will want to add some mounts -- see: Simple 8mm rod holder: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:31370 Complex side mount: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3049 You can get Open Beam at http://www.openbeamusa.com/Extrusions/ To get the magnets see http://www.rare-earth-magnets.com/ This project was developed by the Michigan Tech Open Sustainability Technology research group http://www.mse.mtu.edu/MOST 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 Terence Tam for OpenBeam. Brilliant work!