Lego Spectrometer
lego-spectrometer

This is the latest version of Public Lab's DIY Desktop Spectrometry Kit -- the Lego Spectrometer. It addresses issues of rigidity, sourcing, modularity, and image quality over previous versions. We've been making and distributing [Do-It-Yourself spectrometers](/w//spectrometry) since 2011, and have been through [4 major kit versions](http://store.publiclab.org/collections/spectrometry) and hundreds of different community contributed modifications, new versions, changes, and more. ## Get a kit This is an open source kit, so you can just build your own -- but to **order parts for a kit**, visit the Public Lab Store: ## Design goals Over the years, we've identified a few really critical improvements that have been tough to solve: * rigidity * easy to source parts * modularity - working together * image quality Our mission is to make it **easier, cheaper, and more accessible to do environmental monitoring**, and to do that as an open source, collaborative community. And of course part of that is cost -- while people build upon our kits with more expensive options and upgrades, we want the basic kit to be extremely affordable. ## Quick start [notes:grid:lego-quickstart] ## Questions [questions:lego-spectrometer] ## Building your Lego Spectrometer [activities:lego-spectrometer] ## Spectrometry activities [activities:spectrometry-sampling] **** ## Spectrometer calibration [activities:spectrometry-calibration] **** [![tinkercad.png](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/022/935/large/tinkercad.png)](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/022/935/original/tinkercad.png) _Tinkercad model, below_ ## Parts ### 3D models * Tinkercad: https://tinkercad.com/things/43IqCTHE7Iz * Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2711528 ### 3D brick models Lots of great brick models are available here: https://printabrick.org/ and on http://thingiverse.com * assorted standard bricks: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2626413 * holey bricks: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1095326 * sloped brick: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:527185 * corner L brick: https://printabrick.org/bricks/2357 * brick w/ peg: https://printabrick.org/bricks/2458 (I used this instead of a 1x2 hole brick + a friction peg, because I couldn't find a model for the brick) Brick dimensions are nicely described in this diagram from Wikipedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lego_dimensions.svg Print files for the black cardstock insert can be [found here](https://publiclab.org/notes/abdul/10-19-2016/foldable-paper-spectrometer-instructions). ...


Author Comment Last activity Moderation
warren "I would guess the normal visible light range (~400-700 nanometers or maybe 750) plus all the way up to 900 or even 1000, depending on the type of s..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
cedarlodge "I went back and forth between the two cameras. In the end I went for the standard but slightly regretting it now. Is there any data on the addition..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
cedarlodge "Seconded, from what i’ve Seen so far the Lego spectrometer is more suited to being a desktop spectrometer. You’d need to cart around a power source..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
cfastie "Sodium lamps have very distinctive spectral emissions, so it is fairly easy to distinguish them from other types of lamps. Once you become familiar..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
cedarlodge "It would use the USB port. The zero is wired to draw power through it as well as data. I've just enabled it on the Pi zero i'm using at work. You ..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
warren "OMG I know what you mean, @wmacfarl and I have been talking about how one tiny thing can ruin your whole day when working with Raspberry Pis. And I..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
warren "Awesome!!! We're going to start distributing these with buttons and low-profile batteries soon at http://store.publiclab.org so including a button ..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
cedarlodge "Have got it to work before in a pi zero (no WiFi). Key thing is to make sure the micro usb you use is also a data cable. That’s one very frustratin..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
cedarlodge "Here’s a basic guide to adding a tactile button to the GPIO pins: https://www.modmypi.com/blog/tutorial-tactile-switch For a neater package, i’d ..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
jpschaaf "@asnow -- I did not order a kit so nothing to worry about from that perspective; I just would like to see the page edited in case someone else gets..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
asnow "Hi @jpschaaf You are right! The kits should come with 4 x 3036 plates, not one as mentioned above. Regarding use of the 3004 bricks, which step in ..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
jpschaaf "The parts manifest should show Four 6 x 8 plates - 3036 instead of one. I'm also pretty sure that building the illustrated item also requires two..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
Bronwen "Hi @dcanprdn you're not missing anything, our initial pre-order was so that folks could get in early to start making their own and contributing to ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
dcanprdn "I just got a lego spectrophotomer "kit" a bag of some lego pieces, a slit, and a CD. Directions are online I guess and the buyer must supply the ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "I think either would work, but haven't tried it myself. Once you get this assembled, please do and share your results! " | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "I did find some links here, but haven't tried it! https://learn.adafruit.com/turning-your-raspberry-pi-zero-into-a-usb-gadget/ethernet-gadget htt..." | Read more » over 6 years ago