Portable Polariscope
Description
This is a design for a portable polariscope. A polariscope is a useful tool for viewing stress in transparent materials such as glass and plastic, using either linear or circular polarization. It is a useful teaching tool for understanding the properties of glass or plastics, and a necessity in the glassblowing studio to aid in the fabrication, quality control and troubleshooting of glass work. Portable Polariscope Parts List: Printables: (1) Flashlight adaptor (1) Mirror back (1) Mirror frame (1) Articulated lens (1) Articulated lens cover (1) Front cover (4) Arms (1)Tube Glass: (3 – 5) 120mm x 120mm glass 1/8” plate glass (two sandblasted) (acrylic could be used as an alternative, lighter weight material) Filters: (2) linear polarization filters (https://www.teachersource.com/product/polarizing-filters) or (2) circular polarization filters trimmed to size (120mm x 120mm) (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07652Q7TZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) (1) piece aluminum foil, mylar or other reflective surface and adhesive to mount it. Hardware: (3) Threaded rods (18-8 Stainless Steel Threaded Rod, 6-32 Thread Size, 6" Long , https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/95412a373) (3) End caps (18-8 Stainless Steel Cap Nut, 6-32 Thread Size , https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/91855a430) (3) Wing nuts (316 Stainless Steel Wing Nut, Super-Corrosion-Resistant, 6-32 Thread Size , https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/93575a201) (1) Flashlight (57mm diameter)(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FDHNQTW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) NOTE: Looks like this model is currently unavailable on Amazon, so I have ordered a replacement and will make an update here once it arrives in 24-48hrs. Sorry for the inconvenience! Printing Instructions: Front cover, Mirror back, Front cover, Arms printed with brims and padded base. No supports needed. Flashlight adaptor and Mirror frame printed with raft and supports. Note: My printer (Makerbot Replicator 5) does not have a heated bed, so brims, padded base and rafts are helpful for best adhesion to the build plate. Use your best judgement for how to get a clean print on your printer – brims and rafts may not be needed. You will still need supports for the two larger parts though. Assembly instructions: Insert flashlight into the flashlight adaptor. Place one piece of sandblasted glass into the base. Secure the mirror base. Laminate the reflective surface to the INSIDE of the mirror back. Secure the mirror back. Place one piece of sandblasted glass into the main face, add filter, and secure with front cover. Using hardware, add the arms and tubes to connect the articulated lens. Tighten all hardware so that the articulated lens is stationary. Place one piece of glass (not sandblasted) and filter into the articulated lens frame and secure with the articulated lens cover. Turn on flashlight, and enjoy your polariscope! Notes: You may want to consider sandwiching the linear polarization filter between two pieces of glass for increased durability. This will add additional weight to the polariscope, so that decision is your choice. The design can accommodate both single or double glass panels. Substituting thin acrylic panels for the glass ones would also be a good option for increased durability while maintaining a lighter weight. Be sure to orient your filters correctly. Regarding linear polarizing filters: Follow manufacturers instructions for which side of the filter should face towards the viewer, and be sure to place the articulated filter at a 90 degree rotation to the first filter. For Circular polarizing filters: be aware that the filters must be oriented WITHOUT any glass /acrylic panels between them. Refer to manufacturers instructions for proper orientation. Parts are designed to snap together. No adhesive is necessary to hold the parts together, but if you would like some extra security, use super glue to adhere the face plate covers for a more secure hold. I would recommend doing this for the articulated face cover, if you are using a double layer of glass to sandwich the filter. If you need to replace the filters, you have the option of using the snap feature to easily replace filters, or print out new parts if the filters are glued in. Hardware is adjustable, be sure to keep the wing nuts tight so the articulated lens stays in place. Polariscope can be used as a handheld device, or stationary by resting the device on the mirror cover. Flashlight recharges via USB, and also features a strobe mode to liven up your user experience. If you want to use a different flashlight, you can make an adaptor to accommodate a different aperture. The aperture diameter is 57mm. I printed a polariscope in PLA, and used it daily for about a year. After about 8 months of heavy use, the parts started to loosen, and I ended up gluing them together. I have since printed out another model in ABS which I am hoping will be more durable. PETG would be another more durable substrate to consider using. Special thanks to Jim Harmon at Keystone College and Emmitt Zugar at Salem Community College for assistance with printing and troubleshooting.
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