Inspection microscope stand (made to measure)
I warmly welcome
Due to the fact that from time to time the topic of inspection microscopes in the "Do It Yourself" category appears here, I decided to present my solution for this device.

The design is not extraordinary and innovative, it is based on an industrial camera that I recovered from electro-waste, the webcam gives a video signal in color (I was even surprised that we throw away such things here).
The camera output is typical for industrial cameras, the AV output is terminated with a BNC socket to display the video signal on a computer monitor due to the fact that CCTV monitors are for some reason much, much more expensive, I used a signal converter purchased on a Chinese portal. It has several inputs on board, including VGA, SVIDEO and industrial AV input and one VGA output, of course.

For me, it turned out to be practical enough, because I additionally connected the video signal from the computer to it with a standard VGA-VGA cable, but quite long, about 5m, and in case of the need, for example, to view the diagram that I currently have displayed on my computer monitor, the arrangement of components without detaching from the soldering iron, I switch the image signal source that interests me.
I won't elaborate on the functions that the converter has, I've had it for a long time and I don't really remember what parameters it has.
In the webcam itself, a C-Mount lens was replaced (of course also purchased on the Chinese portal), which allows me to enlarge the image 30 times, a better lens could be installed, but the price was about PLN 80, on the portal it was stated that a magnification of 100x.
For the whole thing, I needed a tripod, on which I planned to mount the camera steadily, especially since it gained some weight with the new lens, but at first I had no idea for a good solution. In the place where the microscope was to be mounted, there was little space, because for the sake of convenience, I installed a shelf above the worktop for the instruments. I came up with the idea that I would install the articulated arm of the camera's boom on the underside of this shelf. It served me for a while, but it had a tendency to drop to its maximum reach, and that was how it was set up for work. Additionally, in the horizontal axis, the microscope was able to loosen, so that before each unfolding, all the locks had to be tightened very tightly, sometimes I had the impression that the threads would not withstand it.

And recently I decided to solve this problem, I designed a new tripod in Fusion360, also screwed to the shelf.
The structure is based on one 20x40 mm V-slot profile, which serves as a horizontal guide, and one 40x40 profile, which is the rotary axis on which the microscope frame is mounted. The rotary axis has a bearing, in addition, I used a simple magnetic lock when setting the microscope to work, so that the system did not have a tendency to self-fold. The elements of the tripod, apart from the profiles and some small elements, were cut on a CNC plotter. The rest of the details are shown in the photos, on the GrabCAD portal where I have placed the CAD file of the structure, you can download it or watch it in 3D => https: // grabcad.com/library/inspection-microscope-stand-1
Due to the fact that from time to time the topic of inspection microscopes in the "Do It Yourself" category appears here, I decided to present my solution for this device.

The design is not extraordinary and innovative, it is based on an industrial camera that I recovered from electro-waste, the webcam gives a video signal in color (I was even surprised that we throw away such things here).
The camera output is typical for industrial cameras, the AV output is terminated with a BNC socket to display the video signal on a computer monitor due to the fact that CCTV monitors are for some reason much, much more expensive, I used a signal converter purchased on a Chinese portal. It has several inputs on board, including VGA, SVIDEO and industrial AV input and one VGA output, of course.



For me, it turned out to be practical enough, because I additionally connected the video signal from the computer to it with a standard VGA-VGA cable, but quite long, about 5m, and in case of the need, for example, to view the diagram that I currently have displayed on my computer monitor, the arrangement of components without detaching from the soldering iron, I switch the image signal source that interests me.
I won't elaborate on the functions that the converter has, I've had it for a long time and I don't really remember what parameters it has.
In the webcam itself, a C-Mount lens was replaced (of course also purchased on the Chinese portal), which allows me to enlarge the image 30 times, a better lens could be installed, but the price was about PLN 80, on the portal it was stated that a magnification of 100x.
For the whole thing, I needed a tripod, on which I planned to mount the camera steadily, especially since it gained some weight with the new lens, but at first I had no idea for a good solution. In the place where the microscope was to be mounted, there was little space, because for the sake of convenience, I installed a shelf above the worktop for the instruments. I came up with the idea that I would install the articulated arm of the camera's boom on the underside of this shelf. It served me for a while, but it had a tendency to drop to its maximum reach, and that was how it was set up for work. Additionally, in the horizontal axis, the microscope was able to loosen, so that before each unfolding, all the locks had to be tightened very tightly, sometimes I had the impression that the threads would not withstand it.

And recently I decided to solve this problem, I designed a new tripod in Fusion360, also screwed to the shelf.
The structure is based on one 20x40 mm V-slot profile, which serves as a horizontal guide, and one 40x40 profile, which is the rotary axis on which the microscope frame is mounted. The rotary axis has a bearing, in addition, I used a simple magnetic lock when setting the microscope to work, so that the system did not have a tendency to self-fold. The elements of the tripod, apart from the profiles and some small elements, were cut on a CNC plotter. The rest of the details are shown in the photos, on the GrabCAD portal where I have placed the CAD file of the structure, you can download it or watch it in 3D => https: // grabcad.com/library/inspection-microscope-stand-1







Comments
How about image lag? Is it noticeable? Will you insert a photo with an image at the maximum magnification? [Read more]
Not bad, but it would be nice to have its own omni-directional light source with adjustable intensity and temperature. [Read more]
Not bad. I have such a camera. So far I tried to do something with webcams, but there was a problem with the drivers (old cameras) and ... no tripod. Plus big lags. [Read more]
Hello 1. In fact, for me it is imperceptible, to illustrate this effect I recorded a video, I leave the evaluation to those interested: 2. I am attaching photos: the first is a 10 mm x 10 mm grid,... [Read more]
It will certainly be, and I have been thinking about it for some time, but as it happens with me, I have to mature for this decision. It seems to me that the best solution would be with switched lighting... [Read more]
I think you inspired me. I have an industrial Sony camera at my disposal, for monitoring, with a composite output. I already thought it was useless. I also have an identical converter, I bought it once,... [Read more]
Sample offer with different magnifications Link [Read more]
Scary gibberish at this auction. And those PLN 80 are probably already out of date. [Read more]
Interesting idea, I have a Chinese digital microscope myself and it is so-so. Write what is this camera and lens, can it be soldered under this? [Read more]
It's a fact, more than once I wondered what would come, but fortunately for me it was always what I expected. I have already ordered devices for even a thousand and a few zlotys, but the price is even... [Read more]
Hello, Nice job, it looks nice. Could you write something about the cost of this project? best regards [Read more]
Up-to-date, click on the lenses thumbnail. I will also be tempted and do the same as my colleague, the cameras are not as expensive as I thought and the lens is already floating / flying. [Read more]
What resolution is the webcam used? Because mine has only 330 lines, so I don't know if it's worth it. :( This webcam fell into my hands. https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/viewtopic.php?p=14996611#14996611 ... [Read more]
I took it from the manual and it is available on the net. Horizontal image resolution of 600/700 TV lines. The clarity of the image is achieved by the use of SONY CCD sensor offering 410,000 (effective)... [Read more]
Hmmm, there's no tragedy if yours does And the image is very nice (at least in the photos shown), when my almost 3/4 of it, I see a chance for a meaningful microscope. [Read more]
Very nice project, congratulations. Could you please explain what is this signal converter? Can you provide the model? What is the highest screen resolution you can get? [Read more]
Hello 1. Something similar or the same - Link 2.1280x1024 60Hz [Read more]
Very nice and thoughtful execution of the mechanical structure. I do not judge the camera itself, since it passes the exam, I congratulate the author on another useful tool in the workshop. [Read more]
In mine it's 1920x1200. This is what I have: https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/4000126399490.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27425c0fQKcvG4 https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/3643245500_1611330759_bigthumb.jpg... [Read more]