Introduction
PUMA
PUMA is an open source 3D printed high quality customisable
microscope system. The name PUMA stands for
P
ortable,
U
pgradeable,
M
odular and
A
ffordable – key features of this
system. To learn more about the
PUMA open source project and
to get CAD files, software and
schematics please see the
official PUMA GitHub repository:
Foundation scope
The
Foundation scope
is the simplest configuration of a PUMA
system that can be used as a working microscope. This
configuration is made available for sale by OptArc so that people
who, for whatever reason, don’t want to build a PUMA scope from
scratch using DIY 3D printing can easily get started with PUMA.
Anyone with 3D printing and DIY abilities could also make their
own Foundation scope using the standard PUMA modules and
specifications available on the GitHub page.
It is called ‘foundation’ because you can use this scope as a starting
point from which to swap in various optional extra modules to
build any of the other PUMA configurations all the way to an
advanced research microscope with motorised Z-stage and TFT
screens for augmented reality optical image overlay and Fourier
optics digital light processing, binocular or trinocular viewports,
fluorescence, phase contrast, polarisation, and more.
Out of the box, the OptArc PUMA Foundation scope comes with a
high quality Plan Achromat x4 objective and a x10 high quality ocular
with good eye relief and a wide exit pupil for comfortable viewing.
Without further optional upgrades this scope will give a relatively
low total magnification of x40 with a wide flat field of view. With its
mirror illuminator alone this can be increased to x100 total
magnification using an optional x10 objective (sold separately).
If you want to use even higher magnifications then you are advised to
add the PUMA Abbe condenser (this is an optional upgrade). See the
‘Upgrades’ chapter later in this manual for more complete
information about the various upgrades available.
PUMA Foundation Scope
Page 7 of 40
User’s Manual v1.0
PUMA on GitHub
Foundation scope
OptArc high quality
x10 eyepiece
PUMA GitHub Page