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

Wed Mar 18 13:54:03 EDT 2026

Dear Hannco,

Thanks for sharing the info. The foam is great but knowing the adhesive
could be really helpful too.
As Adam points out, the Oddy Test database is a great place to go look for
potential materials to use, so I always recommend people stop by there when
thinking of ideas for projects.

Best of luck with the new system,
Mariana
*Mariana Di Giacomo, PhD*
*Natural History Conservator, Yale Peabody Museum*
Member at Large; Associate Editor (Collection Forum), SPNHC

El mar, 17 mar 2026 a las 9:42, Adam Rountrey (<arountre at umich.edu>)
escribió:

> 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
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> 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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