Advancing optical imaging systems with digital fabrication

TL;DR

This paper explores how digital fabrication, especially 3D printing, enhances the design, assembly, and adaptability of optical imaging systems, promoting faster innovation and broader accessibility.

Contribution

It demonstrates the use of digital fabrication in creating adaptable, research-grade optical systems and provides practical design guidelines for such implementations.

Findings

Digitally fabricated components support adaptable optical systems.

Open microscopy benefits from digital fabrication for faster innovation.

Design guidelines facilitate accessible, high-performance imaging.

Abstract

Optical imaging technologies are central to discovery in the life and physical sciences, yet their impact depends on how readily they can be built, adapted, and sustained across laboratories. Digital fabrication, including desktop 3D printing, offers new ways to engineer imaging instruments by simplifying assembly, lowering replication barriers, and enabling modular integration and local refinement. Here we examine, using open microscopy as a transparent case, how digitally fabricated components support adaptable, research-grade optical systems while enabling faster innovation cycles and distributed refinement. We outline practical design guidelines and discuss emerging developments that may further advance accessible, high-performance imaging.