Flagship project / in development
Automated
microscope.
An ongoing engineering effort bringing precise motion, camera imaging, and software together in a single instrument. This is the record of how it is being designed, built, tested, and improved.
01 / Overview
A system made of
many disciplines.
The microscope project is a place to document the full development process: mechanical design, CAD, stepper motion, Arduino and GRBL, motor drivers, electronics, imaging, image processing, software, and the testing needed to bring those parts together.
The current autofocus application has been exercised in simulation. Results from the physical microscope will be added after hardware calibration and repeatability testing.
02 / The system
Explore the build.
Each subsystem will gain diagrams, decisions, tests, and results as the instrument develops.
Mechanical design & CAD
Stage geometry, assembly, tolerances, and physical revisions.
Motion & control
Stepper motors, CNC shield, motor drivers, Arduino, and GRBL.
Electronics & wiring
Power distribution, connections, documentation, and debugging.
Imaging & processing
Camera capture, focus metrics, image quality, and evidence.
Software & autofocus
Simulation, scan control, desktop interface, and result logging.
Testing & results
Calibration, experiments, limitations, and future improvements.
03 / Current software
Focus, measured
and recorded.
A Python application explores autofocus through bounded coarse and fine Z scans. It includes a simulator, camera and GRBL adapters, a desktop interface, several sharpness metrics, and saved scan results.
04 / Build log
Follow the process.
Dated notes on decisions, tests, failures, and progress.