Wanted: Stray light cap for Leitz dry darkfield condenser
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:36 pm
Re: Wanted: Stray light cap for Leitz dry darkfield condenser
As it happens, I just learned that a friend of a friend recently got a 3D printer, so I can try this option out for low stakes. Interesting that the original part seems to be brass (thanks to Hobbyst for figuring that out). I wonder if the 3D printed resin material will become brittle over time. But I can try it and find out! So, um, Giorgio, would you want to update your CAD file with the dimensions so generously provided by Michael?
Re: Wanted: Stray light cap for Leitz dry darkfield condenser
I managed to pull a little more detail from my ‘profile’ photo
This shows the edge, and also the transition between the two curvatures :
. .
Note: it is actually black-finished all over ... but there is cross-lighting, and I tweaked the levels.
Hope that helps
MichaelG.
This shows the edge, and also the transition between the two curvatures :
. .
Note: it is actually black-finished all over ... but there is cross-lighting, and I tweaked the levels.
Hope that helps
MichaelG.
Too many 'projects'
Re: Wanted: Stray light cap for Leitz dry darkfield condenser
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... and here is edge detail from the ‘interior’ image :
. .
MichaelG.
... and here is edge detail from the ‘interior’ image :
. .
MichaelG.
Too many 'projects'
Re: Wanted: Stray light cap for Leitz dry darkfield condenser
Here we are
I've updated the design as per MichaelG measurements and photos; it was very similar than the Leitz illustration with the 18mm bottom opening. Small tweaks.
About making it,3D printed, cracking or other issues:
If 3D printed with normal pastic, think it won't crack (within 10 years). But I fear that under the light heat it will slowly melt and stick to the glass, maybe interfering or ruining the condenser . Should be fine for temperatures under 50 Celsius - 122 Farenheit. Give it a try.
From online services you can order it made of any heat-resistant plastic or metal*, 3D printed or CNC machined, probably still under 40$. If you order 1000 of them, will be 0.50$ each. Blackening, that's an extra.
May try for example https://app.craftcloud3d.com/
I've dumped the geometry files (.stl) and the program to generate them (.txt, open with OpenSCAD) on a google drive folder; the Thingiverse site still doesn't seem to work.
One design is full (recommended for 3D printing & machining) and the other is made as a shell 0,4mm thick( as original).
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing
* the original brass may be unavailable in some health-obsessed countries
I've updated the design as per MichaelG measurements and photos; it was very similar than the Leitz illustration with the 18mm bottom opening. Small tweaks.
About making it,3D printed, cracking or other issues:
If 3D printed with normal pastic, think it won't crack (within 10 years). But I fear that under the light heat it will slowly melt and stick to the glass, maybe interfering or ruining the condenser . Should be fine for temperatures under 50 Celsius - 122 Farenheit. Give it a try.
From online services you can order it made of any heat-resistant plastic or metal*, 3D printed or CNC machined, probably still under 40$. If you order 1000 of them, will be 0.50$ each. Blackening, that's an extra.
May try for example https://app.craftcloud3d.com/
I've dumped the geometry files (.stl) and the program to generate them (.txt, open with OpenSCAD) on a google drive folder; the Thingiverse site still doesn't seem to work.
One design is full (recommended for 3D printing & machining) and the other is made as a shell 0,4mm thick( as original).
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing
* the original brass may be unavailable in some health-obsessed countries
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:36 pm
Re: Wanted: Stray light cap for Leitz dry darkfield condenser
Wow. THANK YOU GIORGIO!! That was a significant amount of work for you to do just to help out a fellow microbehunter! And thank you to Michael for providing the photos and dimensions of the mythical beast, and to all of y’all for the input and help. I can’t believe how you guys just made it happen and solved my problem for me. I will get it printed up and report back later on how it goes! I’m excited to see if this works.
Re: Wanted: Stray light cap for Leitz dry darkfield condenser
You're welvome, it was a good excuse to learn to use OpenSCAD! I look forward to see if the mystery plug works.
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:36 pm
Re: Wanted: Stray light cap for Leitz dry darkfield condenser
OK, the CAD-generated light cap is on order! It took me all of 5 minutes to install the SCAD viewer, download Giorgio's file, upload it to craftcloud3d.com, and place the order. I chose alumide as the material, polished and finished in black. Alumide is nylon reinforced with aluminum particles, which is supposed to be temperature-resistant to 130 degrees C / 265 degrees F, so that ought to do it. All this for only $16.34 including shipping! Turnaround time is 2-3 weeks, so I'll let you all know when I get it! Thanks again, guys. I'm excited.
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:36 pm
Re: Wanted: Stray light cap for Leitz dry darkfield condenser
Giorgio's SCAD file (L) vs. Michael's photo (R). A pretty good match, I think! If there are any small differences, I may be able to address them with sanding.
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- Leitz Cap CAD vs Photo.jpg (24.78 KiB) Viewed 4655 times
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:36 pm
Re: Wanted: Stray light cap for Leitz dry darkfield condenser
The 3D printed part came today! I know there are hundreds of you excitedly waiting to hear an update, ha ha. I’m attaching pics. I don’t know about the finish, it’s not really black, but I could paint it with a high temp flat black spray paint if I needed to. I’ll try it out tomorrow and post photos with it and without it in my dark field condenser.
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- 50543888-CBA1-485B-A300-768FB902D3DA.jpeg (269.41 KiB) Viewed 4382 times
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- 065C51C7-A093-4899-A70B-345B57737E6C.jpeg (290.61 KiB) Viewed 4382 times
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- 31FA891E-4A8A-40B8-AF35-112DCE75066A.jpeg (269.13 KiB) Viewed 4382 times
Re: Wanted: Stray light cap for Leitz dry darkfield condenser
I wait with ‘bated breath
... exciting stuff !
MichaelG.
... exciting stuff !
MichaelG.
Too many 'projects'
Re: Wanted: Stray light cap for Leitz dry darkfield condenser
Good work.
You can show us pictures of their performance.
You can show us pictures of their performance.
Re: Wanted: Stray light cap for Leitz dry darkfield condenser
Good to see it for real, hope it fits well.