Focus Control

Almost any microscope automation application can benefit from control of the focus, and Ludl Electronic Products offers options and technologies to suit the application: a simple motor for basic automated or remote focusing, add-on encoder systems for more precision and stability, and piezo-driven nano-precision focusing for the highest performance.

Standard Motor Drive

Ludl Electronic Products focus control system provides accurate, high resolution automated control of the microscope focus.

The standard automated focus is a motor coupled to the fine focus of the microscope. The LEP precision stepper motor drive can provide very high resolution: up to 2.5 nanometers.

The motor is available with an optional linear encoder. The encoder is fixed to the microscope body so that it provides real-time measurement of the stage height in relation to the optics. The result is a stable, highly accurate performance that can dynamically compensate for focus drift and drive errors.

Piezo Z-Stage

Advances in image processing and image acquisition have redefined the requirements for rapid, precise focus control. The LEP Piezo Z-stage insert addresses these requirements and provides the highest performance in a convenient form-factor that is easily adapted to most inverted motorized stages.

The insert provides a stable platform for large and small specimens including industry-standard multi-well plates, 1×3″ and 2×3″ glass slides as well as culture dishes. The flexible design of the LEP Piezo Z-stage enables the use of custom specimen holders for many different specialized applications as well as general microscopy.

Some models have 200 microns of travel, equivalent to two full turns of the fine focus on most microscopes; others provide 500 microns of travel. This can provide high‒performance focus control for a wide range of applications.

Flat-top Inverted Stage

Live-cell microscopy often requires the use of environmental chambers, probes, manipulators and large specimens. The BioPrecision2 flat-top stage addresses these requirements with a completely flat, open top surface. The stage is fully compatible with all of the standard LEP inverted stage inserts and accessories. In addition, a unique removable “mini breadboard” area is available on both the left and right sides of the stage, providing a convenient point for attachment of almost any kind of fixturing device for manipulators and probes.

Linear Encoded Inverted Stage

Designed to eliminate what has long been a compromise between size, speed, repeatability and accuracy, this stage has a lower profile and smaller envelope and can be equipped with high resolution optical linear encoders. Linear encoders, in a properly engineered system, provide direct feedback of stage position. This real-time position information nearly eliminates positioning uncertainty due to mechanical drive errors. The resulting improvement in repeatability and accuracy is significant.

Linear Upright Stage

The BioPrecision2 upright stage is a landmark in positioning technology for microscopes. With many new features and options, the BioPrecision2 4×3″ stage provides high precision positioning for nearly any upright microscope. The stepper motor stage has been carefully designed to achieve the optimum balance between performance and size. The new design criteria help to achieve a more lightweight, stable, highly agile stage that performs better in any application. For example, the leadscrew drive mechanism incorporates fewer rotating parts for better drive efficiency. Better efficiency reduces hysteresis, improves repeatability and permits higher speeds and acceleration.

Extended Travel Stage

Complex imaging protocols, long-term experiments and unattended throughput requirements can call for scanning large areas or multiple slides. The BioPrecision2ex Extended Travel stages address those needs, delivering high performance in a package that is compatible with most conventional microscopes. There are two standard extended travel stages; the 250mm×100mm stage with the capacity for up to eight slides and the 150mm×100mm stage which offers the ability to mount five slides to the slide holder. Both stages feature ergonomic low-profile leadscrew housings, high-reliability stepper motor drive, cross roller anti-migration guide bearings and options for either rotary or linear encoders.

The lightweight, efficient design provides an increased operating envelope without sacrificing precision and performance. The oversized specimen insert platform allows for free use of high-magnification objective lenses without risk of interference. For easy mounting a unique adapter ring ensures that the stage mounts to the microscope at the correct height and with proper clearance. Encoder options allow the stage to meet specific requirements of performance or price range

BioPoint 2 Stage

The BioPoint 2 is the second-generation value-priced automation solution from Ludl Electronic Products. It offers performance for less demanding and specialized applications - for routine microscopy. Originally developed to provide a bridge between manual stages and high-performance positioning stages, the BioPoint 2 stage utilizes an open, flat design with a conventional ‘finger-type’ specimen holder. An experienced microscopist will feel very comfortable with this configuration while enjoying the benefits of fully programmable positioning.

The BioPoint 2 family of stages includes both upright and inverted versions. Both versions are available for most currently available microscopes.

Filter Wheel

The Ludl Electronic Products filter wheel provides fast, automated and efficient optical filter changing for microscopes.
Typically mounted to the microscope between the lamp housing and the microscope stand, the filter wheel becomes a part of the microscope, enhancing performance without compromising optical characteristics or ease of use. Mounting arrangements are available for most commonly available microscopes including all of the current microscopes available from Nikon, Olympus, Leica and Zeiss.

The filter wheel is driven by a DC servo motor specifically selected for smooth, quiet, damped wheel motion. The filter wheel position is digitally encoded which makes it immune to slippage and skipping errors.

The electronic shutter, available as a stand-alone or integrated with the filter wheel, provides reliable control of the light and exposure times.

Because Ludl Electronic Products filter wheel is driven by the MAC 6000 controller system, it is supported by almost any available imaging software application.

MAC 6000 Automation Controller System for Mac or PC

The MAC 6000 system is the fifth-generation automation controller system from Ludl Electronic Products. Specifically designed for microscope control, the modular system is a very practical system. In its simplest configuration, the MAC6000 can be set up for a single motion axis such as a microscope focus. Expanding the system with the additional modules, the MAC 6000 can be used to automate every aspect of a microscope. The MAC 6000 system has dedicated support for X-Y stages, filter wheels, shutters, and focus controls as well as support for general‐purpose applications for stepper motors, DC servo motors, piezo transducers along with analog and digital I/O and synchronization functions.

Built solidly upon nearly 30 years of experience designing and manufacturing precision systems tailored for demanding scientific applications, the all-new MAC 6000 is the state of the art. Featuring dedicated microprocessors for optimal performance, precision control is assured with fast, stable servo response, dynamic joystick control and software commands.

Expanded communication ports include dual RS‐232 ports up to 115K baud, Ethernet and USB. A multi-protocol communication language ensures compatibility with previous LEP MAC 5000 and MAC 2000/2002 controller systems. New protocols expand the power to interface better with contemporary host processing architectures.

The MAC 6000 goes far beyond simple motion control: it is an automation manager. The system features a built-in programmable scripting language that allows simple development of scripts for sequencing combinations of actions. Utilizing the scripting language, the user can create new commands, add functionality and program sequences. Specialized functions such as safety lockouts, tracking maintenance intervals and sensor integration are just a few of the limitless possibilities that can be accomplished using scripts.

Shutters from Ludl

Ludl offers a shutter that can be configured for Brightfield or Fluorescence usage and installed on almost any major Nikon, Leica, Zeiss, or Olympus microscope. The shutter connects to a filter/shutter module installed in a Mac 6000 automation controller, or to a stand-alone controller that provides for control via RS-232 serial port.