https://openflexure.org/projects/microscope/ Skip to main content OpenFlexure logo * Microscope Learn, Build, Use search_check Overview Introduction to the OpenFlexure Microscope document_search Documentation Complete guides and technical documentation build Build the microscope Step-by-step assembly instructions install_desktop Install the software Set up and configure microscope software biotech Use your microscope Operating guides and best practices support Get help Support resources and troubleshooting Extend deployed_code Programming Clients APIs and libraries for custom applications extension Software extensions Add-ons and plugins for enhanced functionality Other Projects biotech Block stage Precision sample positioning system biotech Delta stage Alternative stage design for specific applications Buy sell Vendors Authorized suppliers and parts vendors * Community Meet, Discuss, Learn forum Forum Community discussions and Q&A event_available Events Workshops, conferences and meetups rule Code of Conduct Community guidelines and standards Support cognition Contribute Help develop and improve OpenFlexure volunteer_activism Donate Support the project financially sell Merchandise Purchase official merchandise Share auto_stories User Stories Real-world applications and success stories photo_library Gallery Images and videos from the community favorite Social media Follow us on social platforms * About Overview search_check About the project Our mission to make microscopy accessible diversity_3 Team Meet the people behind OpenFlexure credit_card_heart Funding Grant support and financial backing biotech Medical devices Regulatory compliance and medical use News, Media and Publications book_5 Media Coverage News articles and external media featuring OpenFlexure article Publications Research papers and academic articles deskphone Media contact Press inquiries and media resources Contact chat_bubble Contact Get in touch with the team support Get help Technical support and assistance * GitLab logo * forum Forum * flag Get Started biotech Microscope OpenFlexure Microscope Experience lab-quality microscopy with our open-source microscope. Build a Microscope A guide to printing and assembling an OpenFlexure Microscope. View Buy a Microscope Buy a microscope or kit from a vendor near you. View Install the Software Download and install software to control your microscope. View Use your Microscope Get started using your microscope. View The OpenFlexure Microscope v7.0.0-alpha1Microscopy for everyone The OpenFlexure Microscope is a customisable, open-source optical microscope. It can be built using either low-cost webcam optics or laboratory-grade RMS-threaded microscope objectives. The system uses an inverted optical geometry and a high-precision mechanical stage, which can be motorised using low-cost geared stepper motors. An overview of the OpenFlexure Microscope v6.0.0 is published in Biomedical Optics Express. You can also explore academic publications from the OpenFlexure Project, or read media coverage for a more accessible introduction to the project. High-performance, low-cost Optomechanics is a crucial part of any microscope; when working at high magnification, it is absolutely crucial to keep the sample steady and to be able to bring it into focus precisely. Accurate motion control is extremely difficult using printed mechanical parts, as good linear motion typically requires tight tolerances and a smooth surface finish. This design for a 3D printed microscope stage uses plastic flexures, meaning its motion is free from friction and vibration. It achieves steps well below 100 nanometers when driven with miniature stepper motors, and is stable to within a few microns over several days. Easy to source, quick to assemble This design aims to minimise both the amount of post-print assembly required, and the number of non-printed parts required - partly to make it as easy as possible to print, and partly to maximise stability; most of the microscope (including all the parts with flexures) prints as a single piece. The majority of the expense is in the Raspberry Pi and its camera module; the design requires only around 200g of plastic and a few nuts, bolts and other parts. Lab-ready customisation The optics module (containing the camera and lens) can be easily swapped out or modified, for example to change the magnification/ resolution by using a microscope objective. Optional filter cubes can be printed, allowing for reflection (epi-) illumination, polarisation-contrast microscopy, and even fluorescence imaging. OpenFlexure logo The OpenFlexure project aims to make high precision mechanical positioning available to anyone with a 3D printer - for use in microscopes, micromanipulators, and more. Discourse logo Forum Ask questions, share projects, and discuss OpenFlexure with the community. GitLab logo GitLab Repo Source code, hardware designs, and issue tracking for OpenFlexure projects. LinkedIn logo LinkedIn News, collaborations, and updates from OpenFlexure. YouTube Logo YouTube Introductory and demonstration videos about the OpenFlexure project. BlueSky logo Bluesky Project updates, announcements, and highlights from the OpenFlexure team. chat_bubble Contact Contact the OpenFlexure team for media enquiries, partnerships, or collaboration. 2026 (c) OpenFlexure. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Privacy PolicyCode of Conduct icon loading