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

Tue Mar 17 09:42:04 EDT 2026

Hi Hannco,
Thanks for sharing this method!  We've also been trying to rehouse
non-standard slides in our collections, which are often stored with the
original specimens in standard drawers.  We are 3D printing standalone
slide holders using a parameterized CAD model that allows us to input slide
dimensions and automatically generate an updated design.  We did some
searching in publications and the Oddy test database
<https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Materials_Testing_Results_-_Case_Construction_Materials>
and
decided that non-pigmented PETG filament offers a good balance of
printability and long-term safety/stability in the collections.
-Adam

On Tue, Mar 17, 2026 at 8:22 AM Hannco Bakker <hannco.bakker at naturalis.nl>
wrote:

> Hello Mariana,
>
> Thank you for your feedback and questions! Much appreciated.
>
> For the 3d printed holders we used Ultrafuse PLA PRO1 Natural White
> <https://www.123-3d.nl/BASF-Ultrafuse-PLA-Pro1-filament-Neutraal-Wit-1-75-mm-2-5-kg-PR1-7501a250-i7849.html>
> as material.
> The foam is polyethyleen LD33 foam, the glue I have no details on, but I
> could get them. They are from our general supplier for museum grade storage
> solutions, called Janssen, Wijsmuller & Beuns.
>
> I hope this information helps you!
>
> Kind regards,
> Hannco
>
>
> Op ma 16 mrt 2026 om 21:55 schreef Mariana Di Giacomo <maru.digi at gmail.com
> >:
>
>> 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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>>> Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
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>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of
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>>>
>>
>
> --
> Met vriendelijke groet,
>
> Hannco Bakker
> Senior Collectiebeheerder
>
> <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
> _______________________________________________
> Nhcoll-l mailing list
> Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
> https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l
>
> _______________________________________________
> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of
> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose
> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of
> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to
> society. See http://www.spnhc.org for membership information.
> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.
>
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