[Sticky Post] How to Use OpenUC2 Boxes with the HIK Camera and UC2-ESP Firmware

General
1

Welcome to the OpenUC2 community! If you’re setting up your OpenUC2 box with the HIK camera and UC2-ESP firmware, this guide will help you get started. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments so others can learn from our shared experiences!

More information and photos also in our wiki: openUC2 LED Fluoresence microscope | openUC2 Documentation

1. Setting Up Your Hardware

Required Components:

  • OpenUC2 box with compatible hardware
  • HIK camera (e.g., Daheng HIK)
  • Raspberry Pi (if applicable)
  • UC2-ESP firmware running on an ESP32
  • Motorized XYZ stage (if included in your setup)
  • Power supply and necessary cables

Steps:

  1. Assemble the microscope setup according to your OpenUC2 documentation.
  2. Connect the HIK camera to your system via USB.
  3. Ensure the ESP32 is flashed with the UC2-ESP firmware and connected to your network.
  4. Power up the system and check connectivity.

2. Installing and Testing the Camera

To test your camera and verify that it’s working correctly, follow the guides below:

Once installed, you should be able to preview your camera feed and control basic parameters.

3. Connecting to UC2-ESP Firmware

For controlling your microscope via the UC2-ESP firmware, follow these steps:

  1. Access the Web Interface:
    • Connect to the ESP32’s WiFi or network.
    • Open the serial UI in your browser to control the motorized stage and illumination.
  2. Verify Communication:
    • Test motor movement.
    • Adjust focus and illumination settings.
    • Confirm connectivity with your imaging software.

4. Using ImSwitch for Advanced Control (Experimental!)

We are working to make this process more robust and user-friendly. Planned improvements include:

  • Creating an Access Point for easier WiFi connection.
  • Setting up an mDNS domain to simplify network access.
  • Improving frontend integration for seamless control.

For now, you can manually test it via:
ImSwitch Demo Interface

5. Troubleshooting & Community Support

If you run into any issues, please post your questions in our forum: OpenUC2 Forum. Your experiences help improve our documentation and support others in the community!

All the best and happy experimenting!

— The OpenUC2 Team