Get your kit
STEP 1 : Make sure you have the proper tools
The components of the PlanktoScope are available from many vendors, online and otherwise. You will need a few tools, but the construction is straightforward and should take a few hours to complete. We have detailed guides on the website for both hardware and software assembly. The PlanktoScope community is also here to help in any way we can.
Soldering station with flux, or flux core solder, will be used to make a few electrical connections
A screwdriver kit with multiple drivers will make many of the operations straightforward
STEP 2 : Find all the needed parts
Electronics
Raspberry Pi 4 B (4GB)
The single board computer from Raspberry Pi with 4GB of memory
Adafruit Stepper Motor HAT
This module controls 3 steppers : 2 for the focus and 1 for the pump stepper motors. The terminal blocks should be included.
Adafruit Ultimate GPS HAT
This module stores the date & time as well as logs GPS coordinates
Yahboom Cooling Fan HAT
This module cools and enables visual feedback for functions with LEDs. Another model won't work.
Hammer Header Male 2x20
Only one of it will be needed
Stacking Header 2x20
Only one of it will be needed
Pitch IDC Sockets 2x20
Only two of them will be needed
GPIO Ribbon IDC 40P
Only 10 cm will be needed
Flex Cable for Pi Camera
A small flex cable is included along with the Pi Camera. However, a longer one is needed.
DC Power Jack Socket
Only per unit is needed
GPS Active Antenna
Make sure the uPF to SMA adapter is included
Micro HDMI Cable
This optional cable can be used for development purpose
Power Supply 3A (USB)
To power the Raspberry Pi
Needs to provide 3A 5V
Power Supply 1A (USB)
To power the Stepper HAT
Needs to provide 1A 5V - not more !
USB Type-C to USB-A 2.0
To power the Raspberry Pi
USB 5v to DC 12v Step Up
Make sure this USB 5V / DC 12V step up converter limits the current at 0.8A
Stepper Motor Peristaltic Pump
This pump can be replaced by others depending on its availabilities
Linear Stepper Motor
Make sure to select two linear steppers per unit
MicroSD Card + Adapter
The minimum size is 32GB but can go up to 512GB
Heat sink kit for Raspberry Pi
Only one per unit is needed
Fluidics
µ-Slide I Luer Variety Pack
Make sure to select :
Uncoated: #1.5 polymer coverslip, hydrophobic, sterilized
HSW 24ml Syringe
A regular Luer Lock 24ml syringe
ÜberStrainer Set 3
This optional set includes 2 inline-filters of 100 µm, 200 µm, 300 µm, 400 µm and 500 µm.
Silicone Tubing ID 1.6mm
Ideally a biocompatible silicone tubing
Luer Lock Connector Female 1.6 mm
Connects the Syringes/Tube and the Pump/Tube
Luer Connector Male 1.6 mm
Connects the µ-Slide I Luer/Tube
Optics
LED white 5mm
Intensity : 17 000 mcd
Forward Voltage : 3.5V
Current : 20mA
Beam Angle : 15°
Arducam M12 Lens Kit
This kit includes 10 M12 Lenses to cover almost any angles of view you’ll ever need, 10°/20°/40°/60°/80°/100°/120°/140°/160°/200° respectively on a 1/4” Pi Camera
M12 Lens 25mm IR 1/2" 5MP
Additional essential 25mm M12 lens
Hardware
M2.5 Standoff Assortment Kit
6mm and 15mm standoffs
M2 M3 Screw Assortment Kit
M2x8mm and M3x12mm screws and M3 nuts
CR1220 Battery
CR1220 battery that will be placed in the Adafruit Ultimate GPS HAT
Magnets 6 x 2 mm
Neodynium magnets are used to connect functional layers
Remember to get help if you can't find all the components via the proposed links by joining our Slack.
STEP 3 : Machine your structure
In order to complete your kit, you'll need to obtain the structure of the PlanktoScope. This structure can be machine from a sheet thanks to laser cutting or CNC machining. The structure can be machine locally around you in a FabLab or via a company able to realize laser cutting or CNC machining. The price will depend on the material you'd like to use and if you need a machine via a company or not.
Suggested materials
Transparent acrylic
Easy to machine : 5/5
Robustness : 1/5
Water resistance : 5/5
Price : 2/5
Recyclable : 0/5
Ideal for seeing internal electronic
Black acrylic
Easy to machine : 5/5
Robustness : 2/5
Water resistance : 5/5
Price : 3/5
Recyclable : 0/5
Ideal for removing surrounded light
Marine Plywood
Machining : 4/5
Robustness : 4/5
Water resistance : 4/5
Price : 4/5
Recyclable : 1/5
Ideal for deploying at sea
Basic Plywood
Machining : 3/5
Robustness : 2/5
Water resistance : 2/5
Price : 1/5
Recyclable : 2/5
Ideal for cheap prototyping
HDF Forescolor
Machining : 5/5
Robustness : 4/5
Water resistance : 3/5
Price : 3/5
Recyclable : 5/5
Ideal for feeling good about recycling
PP waste, 100% recycled
Machining : ?/5
Robustness : ?/5
Water resistance : ?/5
Price : 4/5
Recyclable : 5/5
Ideal for feeling good about recycling
Aluminum
Machining : 5/5
Robustness : 5/5
Water resistance : 5/5
Price : 5/5
Recyclable : 5/5
Ideal for a robust professional set up
More to come
Machining : ?/5
Robustness : ?/5
Water resistance : ?/5
Price : ?/5
Recyclable : ?/5
Feel free to suggest us a material !