This is the latest version of Public Lab's DIY Desktop Spectrometry Kit -- the Lego Spectrometer. It addresses issues of rigidity, sourcing, modularity, and image quality over previous versions. We've been making and distributing [Do-It-Yourself spectrometers](/w//spectrometry) since 2011, and have been through [4 major kit versions](http://store.publiclab.org/collections/spectrometry) and hundreds of different community contributed modifications, new versions, changes, and more. ## Get a kit This is an open source kit, so you can just build your own -- but to **order parts for a kit**, visit the Public Lab Store: ## Design goals Over the years, we've identified a few really critical improvements that have been tough to solve: * rigidity * easy to source parts * modularity - working together * image quality Our mission is to make it **easier, cheaper, and more accessible to do environmental monitoring**, and to do that as an open source, collaborative community. And of course part of that is cost -- while people build upon our kits with more expensive options and upgrades, we want the basic kit to be extremely affordable. ## Quick start [notes:grid:lego-quickstart] ## Questions [questions:lego-spectrometer] ## Building your Lego Spectrometer [activities:lego-spectrometer] ## Spectrometry activities [activities:spectrometry-sampling] **** ## Spectrometer calibration [activities:spectrometry-calibration] **** [![tinkercad.png](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/022/935/large/tinkercad.png)](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/022/935/original/tinkercad.png) _Tinkercad model, below_ ## Parts ### 3D models * Tinkercad: https://tinkercad.com/things/43IqCTHE7Iz * Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2711528 ### 3D brick models Lots of great brick models are available here: https://printabrick.org/ and on http://thingiverse.com * assorted standard bricks: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2626413 * holey bricks: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1095326 * sloped brick: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:527185 * corner L brick: https://printabrick.org/bricks/2357 * brick w/ peg: https://printabrick.org/bricks/2458 (I used this instead of a 1x2 hole brick + a friction peg, because I couldn't find a model for the brick) Brick dimensions are nicely described in this diagram from Wikipedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lego_dimensions.svg Print files for the black cardstock insert can be [found here](https://publiclab.org/notes/abdul/10-19-2016/foldable-paper-spectrometer-instructions). ...
Author | Comment | Last activity | Moderation | ||
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stoft | " Right ... the optical distances are very small ;-) which is why mechanical rigidity is so important ... (think of the 'optical bench' which is mad..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
jenjimah | " ^^^ I just realized you were referring to line spacing in microns, not lines/cm! Now it makes sense. " | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
jenjimah | "Also - I like the idea of microscope slides, except that glass strongly absorbs UV <400nm. I'm not sure of how well the pi NoIR is on that range..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
jenjimah | "Yes, so far I'm trying to accomplish all those 3 points. As for the slit, I made it from a razor blade so it should fulfill the criteria. I compare..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
stoft | " A while back I experimented with some 35mm 'slide-mount' holographic grating film (I believe it was 1200) vs the DVD (which is 740). The diffracti..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
jenjimah | " Thanks for the feedback, and for the equation. That's super helpful. I asked the PublicLab when I ordered my kit regarding the diffraction lines/i..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
stoft | " Looks like a nice clean construction. The glue should help mechanical stability. I did notice the swap from DVD to what appears to be a film holog..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
warren | "Awesome! They're just standard 1cm x 1cm ones. They don't fit amazingly in LEGO so I'd love to figure out a 3d-printable holder! On Sun, May 12, 2..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
joquendo | " The underside of the Raspberry Pi " | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
ali3585 | " try this https://www.happy-schlank.de/ " | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
joquendo | "Here is the compartment. " | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
joquendo | " That is a fair point. Not sure why I didn't think of that. Thanks. I also made a few mods to my build. I extended the main housing to add a sm..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
Bronwen | " Hi @joquendo, we use 4.5mL Square Spectrophotometer Cuvettes, but if you're working with your own legos you can adjust to accommodate other sizes ..." | Read more » | over 5 years ago | |||
warren | "They're the same as the older paper spectrometer templates, yeah! But cut down a little more to fit nicely. You can find the outline to print here:..." | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
pdhixenbaugh | "Hello, thanks for your question! Hopefully it gets an answer soon. :) " | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
warren | "This is really great feedback, and excellent for others looking to assemble the kit. Great work, and thanks for sharing, Carl! On Thu, Oct 11, 201..." | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
warren | "These are great questions!!! I think DVDs are consistent but have no evidence to support it. I do think they're close enough for your spacer idea t..." | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
carlcrott | "More questions: 1) Are DVD diffraction angles consistent? Could a spacer be designed that would correctly orient the camera with precision + repea..." | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
aga | "Are there any cut out templates for the card papers used in this design? " | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
happywheelsgame | "http://happy-wheelsgames.com Hope that the site will be on top, to get more players and help people enjoy after the days tired. " | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
carlcrott | "@warren I did a few things differently: I opened up the webcam + stripped it of its black plastic housing I left the DVD in the freezer overnigh..." | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
warren | "Hi! Sorry u had trouble... We've found that some DVDs (even in the same batch) are much harder than others for reasons we don't understand. Did you..." | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
carlcrott | "Prepping the DVD is a HUGE pain. Tried: Xacto knives Duct tape ( works but leaves residue ) Sticking it in the freezer Super glue doesn't work. T..." | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
warren | "I think the best method I've seen is to actually assemble it and loosely attach the cover. Then see where the spectrum falls on the screen. You can..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago |