3d Printed Full Size Copy Stand For Cameras & Microscopes

Originally I gave myself a budget of $300.00 (Canadian) to get myself a half decent Microscope and Stand, but after looking at how much the higher end microscopes plus the price of a decent copy stand, I decided to scrap the idea as I was looking well into the $450.00+ range.

So I decided to spend $160.00 on a 38MP Industrial Microscope with 100x Lens and the Ring Light exactly like the one in the following photo and 3D Print my own copy stand for a fraction of the cost, I am expecting the camera to show up in the next day or so but I felt like this would give some a good read until it arrives.





After I found the proper dimensions for the Lens, I started to design the copy stand's 3D Printed parts. In the following image you will see my what my finished parts looked like.




During my time designing all of the 3D Printed parts I also came up with a clever way of making the Lens go up and down, I purchased Two 8mm rods, with Two 8mm Linear bearings as well as a "Stepper Rod" and its appropriate brass nut.

The Stepper Rod has a 2mm step, so after one full turn of the stepper wheel it will raise or lower exactly 2mm (this will work great for fine tuning) and this is what it looks like finished.









In total just to build this Copy Stand I managed to actually beat my original $300.00 budget by saving $68.45. My cost break down..

Cost of Rods & Bearings
- 2x 8mm x 335mm Rods
- 2x 8mm Linear Bearings
- 1x 8mm x 350mm Stepper rod & brass nut
- 2x 10mm roller bearings
- 1x Stepper Rod Lock nut
Total: $70.05

Cost of Table
- Dollar Store Cutting Board
- 2x 12mm Steel Support tubes cut to 335mm (free)
- PLA Filament for 3D Printer (free)
Total: $1.50

Cost of Camera
- Industrial Microscope + Lens + Light
Total: $160.00

Grand Total for Camera + Copy Stand is $231.55 Canadian, which converts to $171.25 USD