OFEP7: OpenFlexure Project Aims
| OFEP | 7 |
|---|---|
| Author | Richard Bowman and Julian Stirling |
| Created | 27-January-2025 |
| Status | Approved |
| Type of OFEP | Governance |
| Approved date | 29-April-2026 |
| Requires implementation | No |
| Implemented date | N/A |
| Updated dates (post-approval) | N/A |
1. Introduction
This OFEP defines the long-term overall aims of the OpenFlexure project. By having clearly established aims the project Steering Committee is able to check that any proposed changes to the project are in line with these aims.
The project aims can be updated by amending this OFEP.
2. Aims of the OpenFlexure Project
The OpenFlexure Project aims to make automated microscopy and micropositioning more reproducible and more accessible, by sharing high-quality designs and documentation under open source hardware licenses. More specifically, our goals are:
- To maintain and improve a suite of designs for optical microscopes and micropositioning stages, prioritising quality, reproducibility, and reliability. The OpenFlexure Microscope, as our most a mature and well-tested piece of open hardware, is the project's main focus. We are committed to managing OpenFlexure hardware designs and associated software in a way that inspires confidence. This includes code review, testing, pre-releases, and keeping records of design decisions. The project does not currently comply with ISO standards required for regulated uses such as medical diagnostics, but we aim to make it as straightforward as possible for the designs to be reviewed and accepted by companies operating to ISO13485.
- To grow an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming community for meaningful, two-way engagement between developers, users, and manufacturers of OpenFlexure designs. This spans a range of activities including discussions in the forum, community workshops and events, collaborative research projects, and supporting commercial production. We believe that members of the community (especially in low and middle income countries) should not be subservient to a UK organisation that owns intellectual property rights. As such, all software and hardware will be licensed so that anyone in the community is free to take ownership of any instruments, experiments, and products that are based on OpenFlexure designs.
- To model and develop best practice in open development. To the greatest extent possible, we will continue to work openly and follow best practice for openly developed hardware. This enables others to scrutinise, test, and contribute to the design as it is improved, rather than waiting for final releases or publications. We will continue to document and share the practices and software we use and develop, to help other projects re-use our efforts and lower the barrier to open hardware development.
- To share know-how about microscopy, micropositioning, and instrument development through formal channels (including designs and documentation) and informal channels such as workshops, forum posts, and discussions.
- Support a wide range of applications and end-uses of OpenFlexure designs. This includes encouraging contributions and extensions to the core designs and software, as well as integration of OpenFlexure designs into larger experiments, projects, and products. We believe that the OpenFlexure project will have a much greater impact as a common tool used and adapted by a wide community, rather than a technology that is tightly controlled by a small team of developers.