Build your laser growth system from scratch — no prior hardware experience needed. Follow each phase in order.
Lay everything out on a clean, flat surface. Cross-check each part against the list before you start building.
| F1 | Side panel | × 2 |
| F2 | X-axis bracket plate | × 1 |
| F3 | Y-axis bracket plate | × 1 |
| F4 | Front panel | × 1 |
| F5 | Back panel | × 1 |
| F6 | Electronics mount plate | × 1 |
| P1 | Growth platform (Y carriage) — 114×90 mm | × 1 |
| P2 | Laser mount plate A — 58.5×50 mm | × 1 |
| P3 | Laser bracket plate B — 58.5×24 mm | × 1 |
| P4 | Positioning plate — 42.5×24 mm | × 3 |
| P5 | Motor spacer block — pre-installed on M1 | × 2 |
| M1 | Stepper motor board (with motor wire) | × 2 |
| S1 | M5×10 bolt | × 8 |
| S2 | M3×30 bolt | × 4 |
| S3 | M3×12 bolt | × 26 |
| N1 | M5 square nut | × 8 |
| N2 | M3 nut | × 26 |
| N3 | M3 washer 2 mm — control board spacer | × 4 |
| C1 | Control board | × 1 |
| L1 | Laser module + heat sink (with cable) | × 1 |
| — | Safety goggles | × 1 pair |
| — | USB-A to USB-B data cable | × 1 |
| — | 12 V DC power adapter (US & CN plug — other regions need a plug adapter) | × 1 |
The X-axis carriage moves the laser module left and right. You will assemble the motor board, bracket, and laser mount.
Identify the two X-axis components: stepper motor board M1 and the X-axis bracket plate F2. Lay them face-up as shown. Note the direction of the motor rail — the P5 spacer blocks on M1 should face upward.
Insert 4× M5 square nuts (N1) into the T-slots on F2. Position the motor board M1 against F2, aligning the four mounting holes. Insert 4× M5×10 bolts (S1) and tighten with the 4 mm hex key.
Slide P3 and one loose P4 plate onto the motor carriage of M1, sandwiching the carriage. Insert 2× M3×30 bolts (S2) through P3 and P4, and thread on 2× M3 nuts (N2) by hand. Before final tightening, confirm P3 and P4 are parallel to each other.
Before continuing, compare your assembly to the front view shown. Confirm the following:
Attach the laser module L1 (with heat sink) to the laser mount plate P2 using 4× M3×12 bolts (S3) and the 2.5 mm hex key. The focus ring of the laser should face downward (toward the agar plate when installed).
Place the laser mount plate P2 (with L1 attached) onto the front of the X motor carriage M1, aligning with the holes in P3. Insert 2× M3×12 bolts (S3) and thread on 2× M3 nuts (N2). Tighten with the 2.5 mm hex key. The X-axis carriage sub-assembly is now complete.
The Y-axis carriage moves the agar growth platform forward and back. Assembly mirrors the X-axis, with the growth platform P1 instead of the laser.
Identify the second stepper motor board M1, Y-axis bracket plate F3, growth platform P1, and one loose P4 positioning plate. Note that P1 already has one P5 glued to its underside — do not attempt to remove it.
Insert 4× M5 square nuts (N1) into the T-slots on F3. Align the second motor board M1 to F3 and secure with 4× M5×10 bolts (S1) using the 4 mm hex key. Tighten in a cross pattern.
Before mounting the growth platform, compare your assembly to the rear view shown. Confirm the following:
Slide the growth platform P1 (with its pre-glued P5) onto the Y motor carriage, then place the loose P4 on the opposite side. Insert 2× M3×30 bolts (S2) through both P4 plates and secure with 2× M3 nuts (N2). Alternate tightening — keep P1 perfectly level.
Verify the Y-axis sub-assembly before moving on: growth platform is level, both P4 plates are flush, bolts snug but not over-torqued.
Join both carriage sub-assemblies into the acrylic frame. Work on a clean, stable surface — the panels slot together precisely.
Stand one side panel F1 upright. Slot the X-axis bracket F2 (from Phase A) and Y-axis bracket F3 (from Phase B) into the notches on F1. Secure with 5× M3×12 bolts (S3) and 5× M3 nuts (N2) using the 2.5 mm hex key.
Slot the second side panel F1 onto the open ends of F2 and F3. Secure with 5× M3×12 bolts (S3) and 5× M3 nuts (N2). The frame should now feel rigid — check that all four corners are flush before continuing.
Place the control board C1 onto the electronics mount plate F6. Insert a 2 mm washer (N3) under each of the four mounting holes as standoffs to protect the board, then secure with 4× M3×12 bolts (S3) and 4× M3 nuts (N2).
Slide the F6+C1 assembly into the rear slot of the frame (between the two F1 side panels). Secure with 2× M3×12 bolts (S3) and 2× M3 nuts (N2).
Before installing the back panel, locate the Y-axis motor cable. Thread it upward through the small cable hole on F3 — this is important, otherwise the cable will be trapped and you will need to disassemble. Then attach the back panel F5 and secure with 2× S3 + 2× N2.
Slot the front panel F4 into the front of the frame and secure with 2× M3×12 bolts (S3) and 2× M3 nuts (N2). The mechanical assembly is now complete.
Your Mycelian Micro frame is fully assembled. Take a moment to check that all panels are flush, all bolts are snug, and both carriages slide freely. You're ready to move on to electronics and wiring.
Before connecting power and using the laser, confirm each item below. Tick every box to unlock the next phase.
Connect the motors, laser, and power to the control board. Double-check each connector before powering on.
Connect the X-axis motor cable (from the Phase A carriage) to the X Motor port on C1. Connect the Y-axis motor cable (routed through F3 in Step 16) to the Y Motor port on C1.
Plug the USB-B end of the data cable into the USB port on the control board. Plug the USB-A end into your computer. You will connect the software in Phase E.
Set the laser focal distance and run your first boundary trace. The default software parameters are pre-configured for Mycelian Micro — do not change them unless instructed.
In Chrome or Edge, go to funguylab.com/mycelian-app. Select the Printer Control page from the menu. Click Connect via USB in the top bar. A browser dialog will appear listing available serial ports — select the one that corresponds to your Mycelian Micro (typically labeled "USB Serial" or "CH340"). Click Connect. The status indicator will turn green and show Connected.
In the Mycelian Micro web app, click the Dim Light button (top-right of the toolbar). The laser will emit a very low-power beam — a faint spot should appear on the growth platform surface.
Slowly rotate the focus ring on the laser module body — turn it back and forth while watching the spot on the growth platform surface. Stop when the spot is at its smallest and sharpest. This is the optimal focal point for your setup. Once set, turn off dim light by clicking the button again.