Microscope low-cost motorized stage
Create a precise motorized stage for an inverted fluorescence microscope for under $100 so that more precise and efficient measurements can be done, while making it accessible to those with inadequate funding to purchase expensive alternatives.
Project Overview
The two inverted fluorescent microscopes in the teaching lab of the Engineering Centers Building utilize stages that must be manually moved with two adjustable knobs. This method of adjusting the stage is not precise and does not allow for automated imaging of coordinate based locations. The current adjustment system also does not allow for a reference of the distance traveled which further decreases the precision of the instrument. Solutions for this problem do exist, however, they are costly. Kits and instructions to fix this problem go only as low as approximately $300 dollars. Microscopes with built in motorized adjustment systems can be as expensive as $70,000 new and $19,000 used. To increase the availability and widespread use of this type of solution, we aim to build ours for under $100. Our goal is to improve upon the previous designs, maintain accuracy of the instrument throughout the testing process, and to have a movement resolution of one micrometer (1µm).
Team Picture
![Team Members depicted in team photo; Far left: Zhaoyun/Jerry Tang, Middle Left: Nick Symons, Middle: Sawyer Bussey, Middle right: Tyler Haupert, Far right: Julia Salita](/projects/f23/motorized_stage/image/view/64fedb24-0b26-4421-96b3-6823433005a8/thumbnail_IMG-7224.jpg)
Images
![Team members Sawyer Bussey (left), Tyler Haupert (center) and Jerry Tang(Right). Fabrication and assembly in the makerspace](/projects/f23/motorized_stage/image/view/ff2fcb75-310d-418b-81c8-3b659afbe8bd/Team%20Fabrication%20Image.jpg)
![Photo of Nick and Julia conducting testing procedures](/projects/f23/motorized_stage/image/view/08d615d4-bb81-48e1-b8bd-1b33b603df55/Photo%20of%20Nick%20and%20Julia.jpeg)
![Nick working on software and electrical components for the stepper motors](/projects/f23/motorized_stage/image/view/55419e36-e057-4042-ad2f-d3b544cb2c6b/Nick%20working%20on%20software%20and%20electrical%20components%20for%20the%20stepper%20motors.jpeg)
![One side of the stepper motor housing unit that has yet to be installed onto the sled](/projects/f23/motorized_stage/image/view/a6986604-55f1-406c-81b9-047ed7170956/One%20side%20of%20the%20stepper%20motor%20housing%20unit%20that%20has%20yet%20to%20be%20mounted%20onto%20the%20sled.jpeg)
![A control knob gear that was damaged after an attempt to insert heated threads into the plastic](/projects/f23/motorized_stage/image/view/01e189c9-7fd8-432f-aa9d-422e0713e1d0/Control%20knob%20gear%20that%20was%20damaged%20after%20an%20attempt%20to%20put%20in%20thread%20inserts.jpeg)
![One of the final CAD files for the stepper motor housing unit](/projects/f23/motorized_stage/image/view/da1e4c75-6c83-4be8-b498-09fa6f02b7d5/One%20of%20the%20final%20CAD%20files%20for%20the%20stepper%20motor%20housing%20unit.jpeg)
![Early Version of Stepper motor 3D printed gear](/projects/f23/motorized_stage/image/view/eeb522c7-a241-4eab-8d1e-6a718a32ce64/Early%20Iteration%20of%20Stepper%20motor%203D%20printed%20gear.jpeg)
![Early version of stepper motor housing unit](/projects/f23/motorized_stage/image/view/ab0e0c8e-2b03-459b-ab4d-bea90d5d3bfb/Early%20version%20of%20Stepper%20Motor%20housing%20unit.jpeg)
![Fabrication- Mounting the Linear rail to the GMP](/projects/f23/motorized_stage/image/view/a4986ec5-6fc6-47cd-bdd2-8a152f478b03/Fabrication-%20Mounting%20the%20Linear%20Rail%20to%20the%20GMP.jpeg)
![Side view of near final product with tape to secure the control knob](/projects/f23/motorized_stage/image/view/488c821e-d92d-4106-98f5-05b5a12cae24/Side%20view%20of%20device%20with%20tape.jpeg)
Files
- Final Notebook (December 15, 2023)
- Final Report (December 15, 2023)
- Final Poster Presentation (December 7, 2023)
- Preliminary Presentation (November 9, 2023)
- Preliminary Report (October 13, 2023)
- PDS (September 22, 2023)
Contact Information
Team Members
- Tyler Haupert - Team Leader
- Nicholas Symons - Communicator
- Julia Salita - BSAC
- Sawyer Bussey - BWIG
- Zhaoyun Tang - BPAG
Advisor and Client
- Prof. Joshua Brockman - Advisor
- Prof. John Puccinelli - Client