PUMA 3D PRINTED MULTIMODALITY MICROSCOPE

New :arrow_right: CNC Stage

I am currently (2026) developing a full XYZ precision CNC stage for the PUMA using a 'standard' CNC system i.e. NEMA bipolar motors, optical limit switches, TMC2209 digital stepper drivers on a moddified RAMPS 1.4 board (as opposed to 'custom PCBs'), desktop computer control with a 'standard' CNC breakout board (as opposed to being dependent on the RPi), ability to use 'standard' CNC software like Marlin, Klipper, GRBL, Linux CNC, etc. - but also controllable by my own PARDUS control system and an interface module for MicroManager may be implemented in future.<br/> If you want to follow the progress of this then head over to the latest posts on my Patreon page.<br/> <br/> <img width="640" src=Images/True_cost_of_CNC.png /> <br/>

:warning: NOTE TO ALL MAKERS

The 2021 (v.1.0.0) release is out of date - only use models from the main branch if building a scope. Also, the latest (v1.0 RC ) version of FreeCAD has bugs which make it difficult or impossible to edit the FreeCAD models for PUMA at this time. Please use v0.2 FreeCAD if you experience problems editing the models. Issues have been raised with the FreeCAD team here: Boolean Issue , Chamfer/Fillet Issue . I have described a workaround for those who just want to get printable files of the models - see the ReadMe in the FreeCAD folder of this repository for details.

PUMA has a Dedicated YouTube channel where you can see video construction guides, usage tutorials and more. Please subscribe to the channel to get notified of new videos. By subscribing you will be supporting the future development of the PUMA project.
Quick Start Guide : There is also a PUMA Quick Start Guide PDF document which guides you through the process of making your first PUMA microscope. It tells you exactly what models to print and what hardware to get with extra links to example sellers online.
PUMA Scopes are commercially available from OptArc.co.uk. For those who want to use PUMA but are not interested in doing all the DIY construction, we can now supply ready-made PUMA scopes via our online store. Proceeds go towards supporting the development of PUMA. OptArc also provides free user manuals on its Support pages.
Funding. This is a personal project I do in my own time. There is no government / industry / agency grant funding. If you like this work and want to support its continuing development please consider: 1. Becoming a Patron, 2. Donating to OptArc via PayPal Thank you.

This project is released under the following licenses:

For source code (including CAD files, STL files and computer programs) and compiled code: the GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3

For documentation: the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3

GitHub Repository DOI:

PUMA is published in the Journal of Microscopy, see DOI:10.1111/jmi.13043

Introduction

PUMA is an Open Source (GPL v3.0) 3D printed light microscope system - backed up by a peer-reviewed paper in the Journal of Microscopy - designed for direct eye observations and ultra-portability with advanced options for digital imaging, measurements and computer control. The name PUMA is an acronym of some of its most important distinguishing features: [P]ortable, [U]pgradeable, [M]odular, [A]ffordable

As a medical pathologist (now retired from clinical work but still active in research) I use high quality optical microscopes routinely. I know what a great optical image they provide, how comfortable they are to look down and also how horrendously EXPENSIVE they are to buy and maintain putting them beyond reach of most people. I designed the PUMA scope to make such a high quality optical viewing microscopy experience available to people without such generous funding resources and also to teach people about the prinicples of optical microscopy - what better way to re-inforce theoretical learning than to be able to build a high quality microscope from scratch?

Most 3D printed open source microscopes I have seen appear to be either toys or low power inspection scopes and/or they are designed to be used as camera scopes with a web-cam / PiCam or smartphone. Many also seem to be novel re-inventions of the microscope that would seem unfamiliar to people used to operating a traditional laboratory bench top microscope - that doesn't mean they are not useful in their own way of course.

PUMA is an open source 3D printed traditional-style direct vision microscope designed as a professional benchtop microscope of familiar design but made with inexpensive materials and 3D printing - and made truly portable for field work. Here are its main features:

It can use professional quality standard microscope optics including high numerical aperture (NA) objectives - up to oil immersion with NA = 1.25 (e.g. 1000x total magnification). That is enough to see bacterial morphology, individual cell chromosomes and sub-chromosomal details (such as FISH signals and banding).
It is truly portable (no mains, smartphone, PC or monitor required).
It is a multi-modal scope with options for: bright field, fluorescence, dark ground, epi-illumination, polarisation and phase contrast.
It has advanced options not usually found on even expensive lab research scopes such as an augmented reality heads-up display and a computer-controlled spatial light modulator for optical Fourier filtration.
It is not restricted to using a camera, computer and screen for observations (although these may all be used, if desired).
It is designed to be easily used by those already familiar with standard bench-top microscopes - PUMA does NOT seek to 're-invent' the microscope.
It is designed to be fully DIY for those who want to have the greatest cost savings - and only uses widely available standard parts. However, for those not interested in DIY, PUMA is also commercially available ready-made from OptArc.co.uk.

Example Images from PUMA

The pictures below were taken with a wide field camera on top of an eyepiece to show the whole field of view (except that the last image is cropped). The first row from left to right shows: Bright field Kohler illumination x100 oil immersion objective H&E (chronic inflammation), trans-polarisation through crossed polars x40 objective H&E (striated muscle of tongue), epifluorescence x40 objective fluorescein stain (Sonchus flower bud and pollen grains). The bottom row from left to right shows: Epi-illumination through crossed polars x4 objective (circuit board), dark ground microscopy x10 objective unstained section (colon), Schlieren phase contrast x100 oil immersion objective using the spatial light modulator (colonic crypt cells - note the distinct mucigen granules in the goblet cells).

PUMA Example Modalities 1 PUMA Example Modalities 2

Advantages

PORTABLE: PUMA is totally portable. Not only is it small and lightweight but it does NOT require a computer, smart phone, camera or PC monitor to operate. It does have advanced options including an in-built computer and motorised Z-stage but even those options are driven by a small dedicated battery-operated control console. There is no need to plug into the mains. Solar powered battery chargers can be used to keep standard batteries topped up (AA and 9V batteries can be used). So PUMA can be used for extended periods in remote places without mains electricity and without internet connectivity. It can be quickly 'field-stripped' for transport without tools and likewise reassembled. There is also the option to use a mains power adapter if full portability is not required.

UPGRADEABLE and MODULAR: Like many professional series of laboratory microscopes, PUMA is modular. You can use it as a simple - but high quality - monocular microscope with an adjustable mirror for illumination (so not requiring any electronics at all) - all the way through to an all-singing, all-dancing trinocular scope with full Kohler illumination and an augmented reality unit for a heads up display of its integrated computer allowing for digital measurements and much more - while still being fully portable. Many other configurations are also possible e.g. epi-illuminated, fluorescence, dark ground, polarisation, etc. However, PUMA uses the concept of modularity to enhance its role as a standard benchtop observational microscope and to make it possible to upgrade without duplicating existing 3D printed parts and to switch modalities with the greatest ease and simplicity. No attempt has been made to make PUMA a general optical bench.

AFFORDABLE and OPEN SOURCE: All aspects of the PUMA are open source and not monopolised behind paywalls and patents. As a 3D-printed project it is designed to be built and customised by anyone with access to 3D printing and uses standard fixtures and fittings that are available form a variety of retail outlets like Amazo

PUMA

Install / Use

README