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
xose "Yes. Kodi is a multimedia player Operating System used to have plugged to the TV and playing films and so on. Raspbian is a full GNU/linux operatin..." | Read more » almost 6 years ago
warren "I've only used Raspbian! " | Read more » almost 6 years ago
warren "I think you can use a very fine pair of tweezers to slightly rotate the Pi Camera lens for a focus change. Do post if that works for you! But yes, ..." | Read more » almost 6 years ago
warren "This is the best. Thanks for posting, and great documentation!!! :tada: :grinning: :+1: " | Read more » almost 6 years ago
cedarlodge "@lach_myers You are correct, the interface needs to be displayed through the HDMI lead. Currently the code is still in development so it does need ..." | Read more » almost 6 years ago
warren "Hi, @lach_myers -- we are trying to link up RPi Cam Control to SpectralWorkbench.org -- take a look here: https://publiclab.org/questions/warren/0..." | Read more » almost 6 years ago
lach_myers "Hi, thanks for this - I'd like to ask for a couple of clarifications, if I may? 1) I presume this interface needs a monitor on the HDMI of the PiZe..." | Read more » almost 6 years ago
warren "Hi, @rjboyd00, please don't use disrespectful language in any Public Lab space -- we work hard to preserve a respectful and welcoming environment, ..." | Read more » almost 6 years ago
rjboyd00 "Your paper liner really sucks and doesn't fold well at all. I will be designing and 3D printing an opaque enclosure to replace most of the legos an..." | Read more » almost 6 years ago
MaggPi "Thanks! Interesting that 580nm plus or minus x nm could be a type of spectral anchor. I am wondering if an opencv technique could be used to ca..." | Read more » almost 6 years ago
cfastie "If you know the spectral sensitivity of each channel in the sensor in the camera you are using, you can adjust the brightness (intensity) at each w..." | Read more » almost 6 years ago
cedarlodge "Not yet, It's my half term break in about two week so I can get back onto it around then. " | Read more » almost 6 years ago
warren "Sorry i forget, but is there a possibility of entering a token on the Pi and having the spectra upload to http://SpectralWorkbench.org ? " | Read more » almost 6 years ago
warren "I also recently found an old monitor i'm going to try this with :-) " | Read more » almost 6 years ago
warren "How's this going, @maggpi? " | Read more » almost 6 years ago
cedarlodge "The camera I ended up using was the camera for pi zero with infra-red filter (https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/raspberry-pi-zero-camera-module). ..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
MaggPi "Thx for sharing this and I would like to run the code (as soon as I build the spectrometer). Two questions: 1)Are you using a Pi v1 visible camer..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
warren "Hi, @MoparWade, I believe @amanda followed up on this and sent a cable -- sorry -- this was an oversight. They went out a few days ago -- sorry, we..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
ajy00 "Hi - Check you have a camera/Pi combination which is compatible - ie the camera for Pi3 and a Pi3 - I don't think they work across different vers..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
Bronwen "Hi @adamsanta, yes! We do ship some tape and a DVD with the lego kit. " | Read more » about 6 years ago
xose "Amazing @ajy00!! " | Read more » about 6 years ago
MoparWade "So, I didn’t receive the black piece of cardboard. No big deal I can work with that. What is a problem is that I cannot see any way to connect the ..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
warren "@warren awards a barnstar to cedarlodge for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » about 6 years ago
warren "I got this running -- it was pretty simple to change a couple files in the boot drive. But I found that it wasn't easy to just connect via a web br..." | Read more » about 6 years ago