X-Rack : Attaches to the Microscope stage and supports the mobile components on rails.

X-Stage: Houses the X-axis servo motor and pinion and rides on the X-rack rails.

Y-Stage: Houses the Y-axis servo motor and pinion and guides the Y-rack.

Y-rack: Moves forward and backward to move the specimen along the Y-axis.

Carriage: Attaches to the end of the Y-rack and holds the specimen.

Gears: Two gears that behave as pinions in the mechanism that, when combined with the axial racks, transfer rotary motion from the motors to linear motion.

Stage Pins: Can be used to hold the X-rack to the microscope stage platform. May or may not be required.

Raspberry Pi 4 (kit): The central control computer. Sends commands to the microcontroller and camera during stage operation.

RaspiCam HD: High-definition camera capable that interfaces with the Raspberry Pi platform.

Arduino Uno: Microcontroller used to drive the servo motors.

SG90 Servo Motors: Used to drive the gears in the mechanism. Required mounting hardware is included with the servos.

Ocular adapter: Some users may need to mount the camera at the ocular.

Breadboard and Jumper Wires: Used to wire the electronics.

The availability and accessibility of additive manufacturing technology (3D printing) has expanded significantly over the past decade. 3D printer capable of printing the PiAutoStage are relatively inexpensive (~$200). The abundance of 3d printing guides and resources can help those new to 3D printing get started. For those who can not or do not wish to print the parts themselves, many communities and universities have established Maker Spaces that are equipped with 3D printers and experienced people to run them. 3D models for printing can be found in the PiAutoStage GitHub repository.

Animation showing the assembly of the PiAutoStage.