Frame

2D Crystal Stacking Bot Submodule

The frame houses all the subsystems of the robot. This iteration of the structure is constructed with 2020 aluminum T-slot extrusion, laser cut 3/16" acrylic, and PLA 3d prints. It currently supports the microscope module, carousel, and hardware version 3 of the Open Micro-Manipulatorarrow-up-right.

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The files and assembly instructions for the mounts of the Open Micro-Manipulator and glass slide can be separately found here.

Assembly Instructions

BOM

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Note that all .dxf files are given in millimeters, feel free to reference the files below or export them yourself through this Onshape documentarrow-up-right

Part
Quantity
File
Link to Order

Top Plate (3/16" acrylic)

1

12"x24", 3/16" (5mm) Clear Acrylic Sheetarrow-up-right Note that each plate (~14.6" x ~11.6") needs one of these whole sheets

Base Plate (3/16" acrylic)

1

12"x24", 3/16" (5mm) Clear Acrylic Sheetarrow-up-right Note that each plate (~14.6" x ~11.6") needs one of these whole sheets

Gussets (3/16" acrylic)

20

12"x24", 3/16" (5mm) Clear Acrylic Sheetarrow-up-right Gussets can be cut from excess acrylic left from the above plates

2020 T-slot Aluminum Extrusion (M5 Hardware) 7.068" Length

4

20x20 Aluminum Extrusion (Black Anodized)arrow-up-right Note that Misumi offers lengths on intervals of 0.5mm, these will need to be machined to size

2020 T-slot Aluminum Extrusion (M5 Hardware) 14.598" Length

4

20x20 Aluminum Extrusion (Black Anodized)arrow-up-right Note that Misumi offers lengths on intervals of 0.5mm, these will need to be machined to size

2020 T-slot Aluminum Extrusion (M5 Hardware) 10.000" Length

5

20x20 Aluminum Extrusion (Black Anodized)arrow-up-right Note that Misumi offers lengths on intervals of 0.5mm, these will need to be machined to size

Microscope Extrusion Bracket

2

Please print with 100% infill, with the closed end of the bracket on the bed, more details on printing below

M5x0.8 Socket Head Bolts 10mm

138

N/A

Grainger Industrial Supply M5x0.8 10mm Black Oxide Bolts (100 count)arrow-up-right Note that the screws are bought in counts of 100, two sets will need to be ordered

M5 Washers

138

N/A

Grainger Industrial Supply M5 Black Oxide Washers (100 count)arrow-up-right Note that the washers are bought in counts of 100, two sets will need to be ordered

M5 2020 Extrusion Hammer T-Nuts

132

N/A

2020 Extrusion M5 Hammer Head Nuts (100 count)arrow-up-right Note that the nuts are bought in counts of 100, two sets will need to be ordered

Additional Hardware for Mounting Subassemblies

Part
Quantity
File
Link to Order

M5x0.8 Socket Head Bolts 10mm

8

N/A

Grainger Industrial Supply M5x0.8 10mm Black Oxide Bolts (100 count)arrow-up-right Note that the screws are bought in counts of 100, two sets will need to be ordered

M5 Washers

16

N/A

Grainger Industrial Supply M5 Black Oxide Washers (100 count)arrow-up-right Note that the washers are bought in counts of 100, two sets will need to be ordered

M3 Socket Head Bolts 12mm

2

N/A

550Pcs M3 Screw Metric Screw Assortmentarrow-up-right Note that this set contains washers, nuts, 12mm and 16mm bolts

M3 Socket Head Bolts 16mm

3

N/A

550Pcs M3 Screw Metric Screw Assortmentarrow-up-right Note that this set contains washers, nuts, 12mm and 16mm bolts

M3 Washers

5

N/A

550Pcs M3 Screw Metric Screw Assortmentarrow-up-right Note that this set contains washers, nuts, 12mm and 16mm bolts

M3 Nuts

2

N/A

550Pcs M3 Screw Metric Screw Assortmentarrow-up-right Note that this set contains washers, nuts, 12mm and 16mm bolts

Assembling The Frame

1

Machine and Fabricate Parts

Printing Brackets

Make sure to print the mounts with 100% infill and with the orientation specified below (add supports if your printer is not good at bridging)

Machining Extrusion

Start with rough cuts the extrusion with a bandsaw, leaving 0.5" excess for facing.

Mill and face the extrusion to the lengths specified in the drawing.

Laser Cut Acrylic

Ensure that your laser cutter is capable of cutting ~5mm acrylic and has proper ventilation.

Cut the Gussets, Top Plate, and Base Plate

2

Assemble the Base Plate

Fasten the base plate to the 14.598" and 10" extrusion as laid out above using the M5 bolts, washers, and hammer nuts.

  • Be careful not to overtighten the screws, even with the washers the acrylic can crack if subjected to enough force

Make sure to leave 4 hammer nuts on each of the outside faces of both 10" extrusions to mount the upright extrusion later.

3

Assemble the Top Plate

Fasten the base plate to the 14.598" and 10" extrusion as laid out above using the M5 bolts, washers, and hammer nuts.

Make sure to leave 4 hammer nuts on each of the outside faces of both 10" extrusions to mount the upright extrusion later and 4 hammer nuts on each of the top faces of the 10" extrusion for reinforcing gussets.

4

Fasten the Microscope Extrusion

Take a piece of 10" extrusion and add 2 hammer nuts onto the top face and 3 hammer nuts to one of the adjacent side faces

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If you are using the Microscope Autofocus Stage, mount it to the extrusion now, otherwise leave the hammer nuts free to add the fixed microscope mount later

Press fit the Microscope Extrusion Brackets into the same 10" extrusion and screw them in with 2 M5 bolts, washers, and hammer nuts.

  • Even with 100% infill, the PLA of the brackets can warp, make sure not to overtighten

Mount the entire microscope extrusion assembly to the top plate using 4 M5 bolts, washers, and hammer nuts.

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Do you best to have the microscope extrusion assembly approximately to the left of the hole in the top plate, this positioning should be adjusted later to center the objective within the circle cut in the acrylic when the microscope is mounted

Mount the gussets onto the top of the extrusion over the top assembly with the hammer nuts left in the extrusion, 16 M5 bolts and washers, and an additional 8 hammer nuts slid into the 14.598" extrusion.

5

Combine the Top Assembly With the Bottom Assembly

Screw in 8 gussets to the top plate assembly using the hammer nuts left in the 10" extrusion, an additional 8 hammer nuts added into the 14.598" extrusion, and 16 M5 bolts and washers.

Repeat these steps to add 8 gussets to the bottom plate assembly using the hammer nuts left in the 10" extrusion, an additional 8 hammer nuts added into the 14.598" extrusion, and 16 M5 bolts and washers.

Fasten 4 pieces of 7.068" extrusion to the gussets on the bottom plate using 16 M5 bolts, washers, and hammer nuts.

Add 2 hammer nuts to each of the slots on the outer faces of the 7.068" extrusion, totaling to 16 hammer nuts.

Fasten the top plate assembly to the height extrusion using the previously embedded hammer nuts and 16 M5 bolts and washers.

This should be your finished product! 🎉

6

Follow the instructions here to create the nanopositioner mount, slide mount, chip return stage and the instructions here to create the carousel.

Mount the nanopositioner and carousel to the base plate using 8 M5 bolts, nuts and washers

  • Have one washer between the socket head and the 3D printed mounts, the other waser between the acrylic base plate and the nut

Fasten the slide mount through it's threaded inserts with 3 16mm M3 bolts and washers. Fix the slide return stage using 2 12mm M3 bolts, washers, and nuts.

Finished Product

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