Mechanical design files (CAD models, assemblies, and drawings) for the Open-LIFU open-source Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound research platform.
Open-LIFU is an open hardware/software stack developed by Openwater for focused-ultrasound research and neuromodulation. This repository hosts the mechanical artifacts you need to build, modify, or interface with the system — transducer housings, console enclosures, transmit modules, and verification-tank fixtures.
| Folder / File | What's in it |
|---|---|
Configured Transducers/ |
3D models of fully assembled ultrasound transducers, including housings and transmit electronics. Use these when you want a drop-in transducer model for system integration or simulation. |
Key Part Assemblies/ |
3D models of major sub-assemblies — Console, Housings, Transmit Modules. Use these when you need a constituent piece rather than a complete transducer. |
Verification Tank/ |
Fixtures and interconnects for the openlifu-verification-tank acoustic-field characterization system. |
Top-level .zip files |
Standalone part assemblies. Each zip typically contains the native CAD source plus a neutral-format export (STEP). |
Each .zip archive is named with the Openwater internal part number and revision: PPP-NNNNN-RevX.zip.
Use this table to figure out what each file is without opening it. PNs are Openwater internal identifiers. Where descriptions are marked TBD, the maintainers will fill in details on the next pass — please open a PR or issue if you have authoritative info.
| Part Number | Rev | File | Category | Description | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100-00050 | Rev2 | 100-00050-Rev2.zip |
Console / System | Daisy Chain Cable, 2X, LIFU | STEP + native | 100-series = top-level systems |
| 700-00012 | Rev3 | 700-00012-Rev3.zip |
Sub-assembly | Console, LIFU | STEP + native | 700-series = mechanical sub-assemblies |
| 700-00018 | Rev2 | 700-00018-Rev2.zip |
Sub-assembly | 1X Housing, LIFU | STEP + native | |
| 700-00021 | Rev2 | 700-00021-Rev2.zip |
Sub-assembly | 2X Housing, LIFU | STEP + native | |
| 700-00022 | Rev2 | 700-00022-Rev2.zip |
Sub-assembly | LIFU Strap Bundle | STEP + native | |
| 700-00039 | Rev3 | 700-00039-Rev3.zip |
Sub-assembly | 180 KHz TM, LIFU | STEP + native | |
| 700-00040 | Rev4 | 700-00040-Rev4.zip |
Sub-assembly | Transmit Module 400 KHz TM, LIFU | STEP + native | |
| 900-00016 | Rev1 | Verification Tank/900-00016-Rev1.step |
Verification Tank fixture / interconnect | Open LIFU 2x Water Tank Testing Kit | STEP AP242 | 900-series = test/verification fixtures. Used with the openlifu-verification-tank software stack. |
These files are vendor-neutral CAD exports — you do not need a paid CAD seat to open them.
- STEP (
.step,.stp) — opens in just about every mechanical CAD package. Free options: FreeCAD, Onshape (free for public documents), KiCad's 3D viewer (for STEP). For a quick look without installing anything, try ViewSTL (drag and drop). - Native source files (if included in the zip) — Openwater authors most assemblies in Onshape. STEP exports are the canonical interchange format here.
A typical workflow:
- Download the
.zip(or.step) for the part you want. - Extract the archive if needed.
- Open the
.stepin your CAD tool of choice. - Use the included sub-assembly structure to drill into individual components.
The -RevX suffix in each filename is the released revision of that part as of the last commit. When you reference a part in a paper, build log, or BOM, please cite the full filename including the revision so others can reproduce your work against the exact same geometry.
If you find an issue with a file, open a GitHub Issue with:
- The part number + revision you're using
- The CAD tool you opened it in
- A screenshot or description of the problem
Contributions are welcome — especially:
- Better descriptions for parts currently marked TBD in the index above
- Manufacturing notes (tolerances, materials, finishes) where they're missing
- Derivative designs (alternative housings, mounts, adapters) — these are encouraged as forks or separate folders
Workflow:
- Fork the repo.
- Create a feature branch (
git checkout -b add-700-00012-description). - Make your changes; update this README's index table if you add or revise a file.
- Open a Pull Request describing what you changed and why.
For substantial new parts, please follow the existing PN convention (PPP-NNNNN-RevX) and place the file in the appropriate folder (or create a new top-level folder if it represents a new category).
The mechanical files here are one piece of the broader Open-LIFU stack. See also:
- OpenLIFU-app — GUI for planning and controlling sonications
- SlicerOpenLIFU — 3D Slicer extension wrapping the OpenLIFU app
- openlifu-verification-tank — Python control software for the acoustic verification tank (uses the 900-series fixtures in this repo)
- opw_ustx — Openwater Ultrasound Transmit Module (USTX) firmware and design
- OpenwaterWiki — Neuromodulation — System-level documentation
This repository is released under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 (AGPL-3.0). See LICENSE for the full text. Derivative hardware designs are welcomed; please respect the copyleft terms when redistributing modified versions.
If you build on these designs in published work, please cite the repository:
@misc{openlifu_mechanical,
title = {OpenLIFU-Mechanical: Open-Source Mechanical Designs for the Open-LIFU Platform},
author = {Openwater Health},
url = {https://github.com/OpenwaterHealth/OpenLIFU-Mechanical},
year = {2026}
}
Maintained by Openwater. Questions or partnership inquiries: open a GitHub Issue or reach out via the Openwater Community Hub.