GAWD this is fantastic!!! GPL, FDM, FreeCAD, microscopy,... and... biology!!! So amazing what you have created for others here. And, such HIGH quality in so many different disciplines. THANKS!!!
Thank you! Please tell others about the project. I've only just got started. I haven't even begun to go into the diffraction theory of image formation and Fourier optics in microscopy. So stay tuned for much more!
I have to admit I never thought sourcing the proper condenser lenses would be the trickiest part of the project 🙂 I used the links on the BoM spreadsheet and while sellers list them as 23x8 and 30x14.6 lenses, I was delivered 23x9.1 and 30x16.6 lenses...multiple times! 😅 I have tried various stores but after a couple months of shipping and refunds, I still haven't found lenses that fit the Abbe condenser design. If anyone has a lead on suitable lenses, I'd be very thankful.
I am sorry to hear that the 23 mm lens from 'panpan-supermarket' (the eBay link in the BoM) does not work - I have bought these from them and they were fine - although that was many months ago! (they don't sell the correct 30 mm lenses though. For the 30 mm and 44 mm lenses I'd go via the AE links in the BoM). For those not DIYing I can announce that the optarc.co.uk shop has now started to sell condenser upgrade kits (including the lenses already fitted!). But sure, if anyone has experience getting the correct lenses from somewhere else please post about it.
