[Nhcoll-l] Feedback on storage solution of large and irregular sized glass slides

Mon Mar 16 16:54:53 EDT 2026

Hi Hannco,

Great solution. It looks lovely and it saves lots of money, space, and
weight.
My conservator brain is asking two questions:
- what material are the levels? I know you said it's 3D printed, but I'm
wondering about longevity and off gassing
- what foam/adhesive combo are you using?

Thanks for sharing the idea!
Best,
Mariana

*Mariana Di Giacomo, PhD*
*Natural History Conservator, Yale Peabody Museum*
Member at Large; Associate Editor (Collection Forum), SPNHC

El lun, 2 mar 2026 a las 9:50, Hannco Bakker (<hannco.bakker at naturalis.nl>)
escribió:

> Dear colleagues,
>
> My name is Hannco Bakker and I am collection manager for various
> invertebrate groups here at Naturalis Biodiversity Center. And I would like
> to share a perhaps simple solution on large and irregular sized glass
> slides. It would be great to receive your feedback or thoughts about this.
>
> Perhaps you may have similar challenges with glass slides of a wide range
> of sizes. Often historical, self-made glass slides. Or in some cases makers
> may have extended the glass slides with labels that may give it an
> increased length.
> Labels can be fragile again, detaching or folding are not an option.
> Context should remain preserved.
>
> [image: 3be0919b-1255-4040-9d96-30ebd4b5dc13.jpg]
> [image: 35c6a091-9569-488a-8470-865e0b7ec818.jpg]
>
> Some of you may use these glass slide cabinets with their plastic trays.
> Perfect for two standard sizes of slides. However, self-made or larger
> slides will not fit. Here in Naturalis these slides were stored in shelves
> of 5 cm in height, wasting a lot of space.
>
> There are some high quality, but expensive options such as special made
> cabinets by Bruynzeel or other manufacturers. Cabinets with steel made very
> thin drawers, saving a lot of space. But not every museum has a large
> budget. Or sometimes it is a problem of weight, as these cabinets weigh
> maybe a couple 100kg or more. Together with the slides, the weight may
> become a problem as well.
>
> Therefore we have looked into developing something of our own. It should
> meet requirements such as:
> - Museum grade quality;
> - practical friendly;
> - modular;
> - cheap(er);
> - easy to get/use materials;
> - not dependent on one manufacturer.
> And perhaps some others that I may have forgotten to mention.
>
> We've come to the following solution.
>
>    - We kept our wooden cabinets, as we have the blueprints, any
>    woodworker could make them.
>    - 3d printed levels on the sides, to hold the trays. We have plenty of
>    3d printers and the file is open access for anyone to use, if the trays
>    appear too thick the holders can be adjusted as well.
>    - Cardboard trays with holes, so you could lift the slide up from
>    underneath. Acid free, low waste.
>    - Foam with double sided tape to make it modular for all sorts of
>    sizes.
>
> We've received all the last bits and pieces from suppliers and I am
> testing it now. It feels very satisfying to have these slides stored in a
> more proper way now.
>
> [image: 277b8ffb-ddeb-4bd8-95ca-61c1083b8fab.jpg]
> [image: 0d63bd25-8a7d-49af-8d43-98669cd6059e.jpg][image:
> 73472e0e-37d5-455e-9c6f-bac68b8730d3.jpg]
>
> It is not 'perfect', but very easy and user friendly. It has a home-made
> feeling, but with a touch of quality and proper selection of materials. It
> may solve a smaller housing problem, but may save a lot of space.
>
> I am looking forward to your thoughts on this solution. And we are happy
> to share our details.
>
> With kind regards,
> Hannco (Piet A.J.) Bakker
> Senior Collections Manager Invertebrates
>
> <https://naturalis-public-media-assets.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Naturalis-mail-signature/logo.png>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> +31717519334 -
> hannco.bakker at naturalis.nl - www.naturalis.nl
> Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden
> Postbus 9517, 2300 RA Leiden
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