Lego Spectrometer
lego-spectrometer

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
khov "Does anyone have some helpful advice on how to make sure the angles are right? I am using a usb camera, which means I had to add an aditional layer..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
khov "Hey! Before you tape the bit of DVD into your spectomoter, make sure that you soak the purple dye out and avoid leaving fingerprints. Here is a hel..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
pmvecc "@warren cool, I ordered a lego kit last week so once it arrives I will be happy to try and figure something out! " | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "I think that's a great idea -- perhaps if you develop a prototype lego attachment we could offer this as an add-on? Want to give it a try? On Wed,..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
pmvecc "Could a fiber optic coupling be added to the spectrometer by an end-user so that it can be used in, for example, flame photometry or laser-induced ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
xose "Hi @zixaq I've done this before using Raspberry pi 2b and the original raspberry pi camera V2. What I've found is this: 1. Some people recommend to..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "aha, I guess I'm wondering if it's possible to just tape over the red LED -- but in future versions we can integrate that setting for sure -- we'll..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
zixaq "There are a handful that all say the same thing when I search for "disable pi camera led": First up, we need to edit the config file. sudo nano /..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
pdhixenbaugh "Hey! Welcome to public Lab! Could you post the guide that you're following, and the config file in question? I'm not personally familiar with the ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "Hi, I think you could use the JavaScript version, SpectralWorkbench.js, to get an offline CSV of data - https://github.com/publiclab/spectral-workb..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
lach_myers "HI @warren I did not try the Lego hack, as I had no details of what to do and I had the key on order. No pics as I had my hands fully occupied. I ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "Awesome :tada: did you find that the lego piece also worked? Obviously we have legos in the kits already :stuck_out_tongue: But if not, we can run..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
lach_myers "OP check in. The focus tool arrived - its very simple, easy to use and ... works. Quite effective. Before focus on left, after on right. The onl..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
jaksch "Hi spectrometrists :) I've just ordered the Lego-parts and I'm going through the instructions now. I don't really follow the step: "Tape or glue ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "Wow, eager to hear about your #colorimetry work! " | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "That's too bad - we can possibly start shipping keys with these if this affects everyone. A meter is pretty bad! We couldn't lengthen the case that..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
lach_myers "I'm using Raspian Stretch, but it shouldn't matter too much so long as there is some sort of Camera control. There are lots of instructions around ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
lach_myers "OP Focus tests completed, with and without grating, and both show out-of-focus problems at all distances from about 80mm to over a meter - which is..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
lach_myers "OP again. Mine is the standard (IR filtered) V2 camera, as I wasn't sure how the software would handle the non visible end. I've started investigat..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
tejadal1 "I bought one independently, though I do recommend that you offer that option. The stark contrast between the webcam's spectrum range and the NoIR R..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "We don't by default but probably should list that option as we do stock them. Can you email kits@publiclab.org to place an order? " | Read more » over 6 years ago
tejadal1 "Hello! Nice work on the raspberry pi version of the spectrometer! A question, for @Warren , does PublicLabs provide the NoIR version of the Camera..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
xose "Cooool! Shoot any doubt you find in the process ;D " | Read more » over 6 years ago
Aleksi12358 "Thanks for info. I should have googled those operating systems and read about them. Those two operating systems are what web shop I was going to o..." | Read more » over 6 years ago