OpenFlexure Microscope · OpenFlexureSource ↗

Image credits and source versions

OpenFlexure Microscope v7.0.0-alpha1 shown on the project website ↗ · OpenFlexure project · CC BY-SA 4.0

CAIBI ASSESSMENT

OpenFlexure Microscope

CAIBI VERDICTWORTH CONSIDERING

A 3D-printable microscope platform with precise flexure-based sample positioning and multiple optical configurations.

See what the build involves Original source ↗

Build or buy?

Compare the documented build with the purchase reference.

Build it yourself

Configuration prices£40–£140Choose configuration to budgetManual/webcam and motorised configurations differ

Time: Multi-stage
Difficulty: 4/5
Physical processes: 3D printer · Optics

See build requirements →

Purchase reference

Buy price referencePrice not checkedNo priced alternative recorded

Check the source for the exact model, availability and what is included.

Check comparison evidence →

Purchase comparison not yet priced

What the prices cover

The current project has multiple official configurations. A manual/webcam route is much cheaper than a Raspberry Pi camera and motorised Sangaboard route.

Includes: Printed material; Optics; Fasteners; Camera/electronics appropriate to selected official route.

Not included: 3D printer ownership; Specialist high-resolution optics beyond the selected route; Labour.

Build evidence recorded 4 Sep 2026. Currency conversions are approximate.

OpenFlexure spans manual, camera and motorised configurations. Comparing the cheapest route with a laboratory microscope, or the most capable route with a classroom microscope, would create a false saving.

BUILD AT A GLANCE

Source view and main parts

Check the source ↗

**OpenFlexure Microscope v7.0.0-alpha1 shown on the project website**OpenFlexure project · CC BY-SA 4.0Source and version ↗

OpenFlexure Microscope · OpenFlexure ↗

PHYSICAL BUILD6 key parts or groups

No.	Source specification
01	3D printed microscope body and flexure stage parts
02	Optics module and microscope objective or supported camera optics
03	Illumination LED and mounting hardware
04	Actuator hardware for the translation stage
05	Optional motors and control electronics for motorised configurations
06	Camera and Raspberry Pi or other supported imaging setup depending on configuration

Full source specifications

3D printed microscope body and flexure stage parts
Optics module and microscope objective or supported camera optics
Illumination LED and mounting hardware
Actuator hardware for the translation stage
Optional motors and control electronics for motorised configurations
Camera and Raspberry Pi or other supported imaging setup depending on configuration

TOOLS / PROCESSES2 involved

3D printer
Optics

The real-world work

YOU STILL HAVE TOThe real-world work

Print the precision mechanical parts
Fit and align the optics
Assemble the flexure stage without introducing mechanical errors
Focus and calibrate the real microscope
Verify image quality and positioning repeatability for the intended use

THE BUILD SEQUENCE

How it comes together

1Preparation

Choose the microscope configuration
Decide whether you need the standard high-resolution motorised microscope, a manual build or another supported configuration before sourcing parts.
YOU
Use the current build documentation
The OpenFlexure project recommends v7 unless you have a specific reason to use v6. Use the matching bill of materials, STLs and instructions for the selected release.
YOU

2Build and assembly

Print the mechanical parts
Test the printer, then produce the body, stage and other printed parts. Mechanical accuracy affects the precision the flexure stage can deliver.
YOU
Assemble stage, optics and illumination
Build the actuators, optics module, illumination and sample handling in the documented sequence. This is precision assembly rather than simple enclosure fitting.
YOU

3Configure and test

Add motors and wiring if required
Motorised versions add motor assembly, wiring and software setup. AI can help navigate configuration and software, but cannot compensate for poor mechanical or optical alignment.
AI + YOU
Install software and calibrate
Bring up the imaging and control software, verify motion and focus, then validate image quality and repeatability for the intended use.
AI + YOU

Benchmark this project

Use the OpenFlexure Microscope prompt. Compare what different models deliver, then add what happened when you tried it.

Try this benchmark

View the project prompt

CAIBI adaptation · Prompt 1.0 · Project source

Prompt for OpenFlexure Microscope

CAIBI project benchmark: OpenFlexure Microscope
Prompt version 1.0

Help me build OpenFlexure Microscope using the existing creator project at https://gitlab.com/openflexure/openflexure-microscope/. This is a CAIBI benchmark adaptation of the project build brief, not a claim about how the creator used AI.

Project context:
- A 3D-printable microscope platform with precise flexure-based sample positioning and multiple optical configurations.
- Build context: 3D printed microscope body and flexure stage parts; Optics module and microscope objective or supported camera optics; Illumination LED and mounting hardware; Actuator hardware for the translation stage; Optional motors and control electronics for motorised configurations; Camera and Raspberry Pi or other supported imaging setup depending on configuration.
- Where AI helps: Documentation search, Configuration help, Software changes, Troubleshooting.
- Physical work: Print, Assemble mechanics, Fit optics, Calibrate.
- Main limitation: Optics, calibration and precise assembly matter more than simply getting the printed parts to fit together.

Read the source first. Use its published design, files, dimensions and parts as the baseline; do not redesign it unless a missing detail requires a clearly labelled proposal. If you cannot access a source or verify a revision, say so.

Provide one practical build package:
1. Design and files: explain the source design, link the original editable files, and identify missing files or modifications.
2. Parts and fabrication: give quantities, exact variants and compatibility, plus a cutting or printing list where applicable. Preserve source dimensions; flag anything unconfirmed.
3. UK and US purchasing: direct product links, checked dates, stock, pack sizes, taxes, delivery and regional costs. Mark unverifiable details as unknown; do not invent links, prices or availability.
4. Assembly: an ordered guide covering fabrication, fitting, wiring or software as applicable, setup, checks and troubleshooting.
5. Cost and time: separate parts, fabrication, delivery, hands-on time and machine time, with assumptions and exclusions.
6. Function and ease: a test plan for the project's stated purpose, likely difficulties, required skills and any corrections or limitations.

Keep source facts, your proposals and items needing physical verification distinct. An estimate is not a measured build result. Do not claim to have built or tested hardware. Include failed attempts and omissions. If a section does not apply, say why.

Use the source as accessed during this run and record its revision or access date. The prompt is fixed; the linked source can change.

Open and copy prompt →

Benchmark results 0

No reviewed results yet for OpenFlexure Microscope. Add the first result →

AI IN THIS PROJECT

Get AI help on this build

CAIBI · AI CAN HELP

AI can help with

Documentation search
Configuration help
Software changes
Troubleshooting

CAIBI · AI CAN'T DO

You still need to

Print the precision mechanical parts
Fit and align the optics
Assemble the flexure stage without introducing mechanical errors
Focus and calibrate the real microscope
Verify image quality and positioning repeatability for the intended use

Original source AI use and prompts

SOURCEThe original project does not publish an AI prompt

The prompts below are CAIBI helpers for this build. They are not presented as instructions from the creator.

CAIBI STARTING PROMPTS

Copy a prompt for this build

Each prompt tells AI to keep the original project source as the reference and to flag anything you must verify on the real build.

Ways to take it further

AFTER THE FIRST BUILD

Ways to take it further

High-resolution motorised microscopeManual microscopeLow-cost microscopeUpright microscopeAlternative optics modulesApplication-specific customisations

More routes and resources

OTHER WAYS TO GET THERE

You do not have to follow one route.

ORIGINAL BUILDFollow the creator route

Use the published files and instructions as the baseline.

OUTSOURCE A PROCESSGet specialist fabrication done

You do not necessarily need to own every capability used here: 3D printer, Optics.

ALTERNATIVE PROJECTImageGenCam

A buildable Raspberry Pi camera designed around a Codex-assisted hardware and software workflow.

REVIEWED RESOURCES

Useful places beyond the main source

DOCSOpenFlexure build routes

Official build selector for current microscope configurations and releases.

DOCSOpenFlexure documentation

Official documentation hub for mechanics, optics, software and supported configurations.

DOCSOpenFlexure v7 high-resolution instructions

Detailed assembly instructions for the current v7 beta high-resolution route.

SOURCE · CAIBI · BUILDERS

What supports the verdict

SOURCEOpenFlexure

Official build documentation available, with v7 recommended in beta

Open source ↗

CAIBIWORTH CONSIDERING

It provides a serious open instrument platform rather than a classroom toy, with the option to change mechanics, optics and automation.

Evidence: Strong

BUILDERSNo published reports yet

Actual time, cost, changes and outcomes appear here after submitted builds are reviewed.

Be the first builder to report ↓

Leave a build review

HAVE YOU MADE THIS?

Leave a build review.

First-hand evidence improves the assessment

What we want to know

What happened when you actually tried to make it.

Did it work?
Actual time and cost
What did you change?
What was harder than the source suggested?
Would you build it again?