Assembly

From the initial design for behavioural recordings or imaging, we designed an additional head holder plate (Head plate) which is mechanically connected with three M3 screws to a Left handed micromanipulator MM33. This device provides fine adjustment (0.10 mm) of the three axes with a finer micrometer adjustment for the vertical stage, ideal to precisely adjust the depth of an extracellular probe. The total range of motion is 10 mm for the x axis and 20 mm for the Y and Z axes.

Figure 1 and 2. Head holding system assembly

The parts have been successfully 3D printed using FormLabs Clear V4 resin. The resulting stiffness has been proved appropriate for the integrity of electrophysiology experiments.

Figure 3. Head-plate system subassembly

Figure 4. Head-plate system nuts insertion

The Head holder is assembled on the Ring with M6 screws, also 3D printed in clear V4 resin in a Form 2 3D printer. The Ring is assembled with two RS6P_M posts on the rotary stage platform.

Figure 5. Head holding system and circular platform assembly

Figure 6. Assembly on platform

Figure 7. Assembly on platform