If your planning to get familiar with the toolbox by going through all our TUTORIALS, you need to prepare the following:
| Tool | Image | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Electric screw driver with 2,5 mm hex bit |  |
For putting the cubes together using M3×12 screws. |
| 2,5 mm hex key |  |
For fine adjustment of all the M3 screws if needed. |
| 1,5 mm hex key | ↑↑ | For M2 screws. |
The parts add on - for the later step you mostly need all the components from the previous ones. On the other hand, the cube get reused in the later steps - we recommend to carefully read through the tutorials before buying the components.
| Name | Properties | Amount | Price | Link | Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D printing material (PLA, ABS) | Choose the material that works with your printer, but rather don't go for the cheapest, it does make a difference | 30-60€ / kg |
The IM Cube doesn't need any additional components.
For the 3DP Cube, you will need lots and lots of screws!
| Name | Properties | Amount | Price | Link | Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screws M3×12 | DIN912, cylindrical, galvanized steel - magnetic! | 8 per Cube Base | 13€ / 500 pieces | Würth | Yes |
| Screws M3×8 | DIN912, cylindrical, galvanized steel - magnetic! | We use 4×12 mm screws to attach the lid and 4×8 mm screws on the other side, but you can use just M3×12. | 13€ / 500 pieces | Würth | Yes |
| Set screws M5×8 | Galvanized steel, hexagon socket | 6 per Cube Base | 15€ / 500 pieces | Würth | Yes |
IMPORTANT: Not all screws are magnetic!
It is very important to buy the right screws - the M3 screws need to attach to the magnets and therefore it is crucial that they are magnetic. STAINLESS STEEL IS GENERALLY NOT A MAGNETIC MATERIAL. THE SCREWS HAVE TO BE MADE OF GALVANIZED STEEL. If you want to know more about why not all steel is magnetic you can read about it here. Unfortunately, the DIN 912 / ISO 4762 screws that we propose can be made of both and you can frequently find both at the same vendor.
The take-home message is: The M3 screws have be made of galvanized steel and never stainless steel!
Use the cube you already have and place the lens inside.
Make sure to print the right holder for the chosen lens!
| Name | Properties | Amount | Price | Link | Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planoconvex Lens, f = +40 mm, diameter 25,4 mm | Artikel 2120, alternatively you can choose another source and lens with f between 30 - 50 mm | 1 | 6 € | Optikbaukasten | Yes |
| ALTERNATIVE: Bi-convex, f = +50 mm, diameter 38 mm | LI150-0050, available from Amazon or directly from ajaxscientific.com | 1 | 10€ | Amazon | Yes |
| Name | Properties | Amount | Price | Link | Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballmagnets | Diameter 5 mm | 16 per 4×1 baseplate | 0,35 € / piece | Magnetladen Amazon | Yes |
Use the lens cube from TUT03 and two baseplates according to TUT04. Above that:
| Name | Properties | Amount | Price | Link | Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planoconvex Lens, f = +40 mm, diameter 25,4 mm | Artikel 2120, alternatively you can choose another source and lens with f = +50 mm, diameter 25,4 mm | 1 | 6 € | Optikbaukasten | Yes |
| Planoconvex Lens, f = +100 mm, diameter 25,4 mm | Artikel 2004 | 1 | 6 € | Optikbaukasten | Yes |
| Planoconvex Lens, f = -50 mm, diameter 25,4 mm | LC1259 | 1 | 19 € | Thorlabs | Yes |
Make sure to print the right holder for the chosen lenses!
ALTERNATIVE:
| Name | Properties | Amount | Price | Link | Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bi-convex, f = +50 mm, diameter 38 mm | LI150-0050, available from Amazon or directly from ajaxscientific.com | 1 | 10€ | Amazon | Yes |
| Bi-convex, f = +100 mm, diameter 38 mm | LI150-0100, available from Amazon or directly from ajaxscientific.com | 1 | 10€ | Amazon | Yes |
| Bi-concave, f = -50 mm, diameter 38 mm | LI140-0050, available from Amazon or directly from ajaxscientific.com | 1 | 10€ | Amazon | Yes |
| Name | Properties | Amount | Price | Link | Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microscope Objective | 4×, RMS thread | 1 | 10 € | Aliexpress | Yes |
| Eyepiece | 20x, The holder is designed for an eyepiece of this diameter, but in general any eyepiece works. | 1; Sold in pairs. | 13 € | Aliexpress | Yes |
| Mirror | 30×30 mm², sticker-like | 2; Sold in 45 pieces package | 0,50 € / piece | Amazon | Yes |
| M3 Screw, 30 mm or longer with M3 Nut | Non-magnetic, for Z-stage | 1+1 | |||
| Screws M3×8 | For the Z-stage. DIN912, cylindrical, galvanized steel - magnetic! | 8 | 13€ / 500 pieces | Würth | Yes |
| Name | Properties | Amount | Price | Link | Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LED matrix | Neopixel, 8x8 | 1 | 10 € | Amazon | Yes |
| Screws M2 with nuts | Non-magnetic, Alternatively use hot glue | 2+2 | |||
| ESP32 | 1 | Amazon | Yes | ||
| Jumper wires | Female-Female, 0.14 mm² | 5 | Amazon | Yes | |
| Button | 1 | 2,50 € | AZ delivery | Yes | |
| Power cable for ESP32 - USB-microUSB | Ordinary microUSB phone charger will do | 1 | Amazon | Yes |
Use the parts from TUT06 and TUT07. Above that:
| Name | Properties | Amount | Price | Link | Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28YBJ-48 Stepper motor with Driver board | DC 5V 4 Phase 5 Wire Stepper Motor With ULN2003 Driver Board | 1 | Amazon | Yes | |
| ESP32 | 1 | Amazon | Yes | ||
| Jumper wires | Female-Female, 0.14 mm² | 10 | Amazon | Yes | |
| Button | 2 | AZ delivery | Yes | ||
| Power cable for ESP32 - USB-microUSB | Ordinary microUSB phone charger will do | 1 | Amazon | Yes |
We cannot guarantee the availability of the components. If you know other components, please let us know by filing an issue. Thank you :-)