Applied Scientific Instrumentation Microscope Automation

X‐Y Stage for Upright Microscope

BioVision Technologies offers the following stages:

All these stages have the following features:

• Closed-loop DC servo control of the X-, Y-, and Z-axes for precise positioning and highly repeatable focusing;
• Wide dynamic speed range with X‐Y joystick control;
• Utilization of ASI’s proven Z-axis drives;
• Z-axis clutch for easy switching between manual and motor-driven focus control;
• Stand-alone use and automation via leading imaging software, each through a Multi-Axis Stage Control Unit.

ASI stepper motors provide precise control through the use of closed-loop DC servomotors employing high‐resolution rotary encoders for positioning feedback. Using closed‐loop control of position, there is no chance that the stage will become lost, as can occur with open‐loop micro‐stepped stages after a number of moves and direction changes.

Focus Control

BioVision Technologies offers the following products:

All these focus-related products have the following features:

• Closed-loop DC servo control of the Z-axis for highly repeatable focusing;
• Utilization of ASI’s proven Z-axis drives;
• Z-axis clutch for easy switching between manual and motor-driven focus control;
• Stand-alone use and automation via leading imaging software, each through a Multi-Axis Stage Control Unit.

ASI stepper motors provide precise control through the use of closed-loop DC servomotors employing high‐resolution rotary encoders for positioning feedback. Using closed‐loop control of position, there is no chance that the stage will become lost, as can occur with open‐loop micro‐stepped stages after a number of moves and direction changes.

Filter Wheel

ASI’s FW-1000 filter wheel provides fast, low-vibration optical filter changing for microscopes.

The FW-1000 filter wheel provides high speed (less than 40 milliseconds between adjacent positions) and low vibration operation (less than 3 x 10-4 kg-m2/s maximum vibration torque impulse) via a closed-loop DC servomotor. It employs a high-resolution rotary encoder for positional feedback. The closed loop design allows for precise control of speed and velocity profiles.

Wheels are available to hold sixteen 25 mm, eight 25 mm, six 32 mm filters or four 40 mm filters.

Optional high-speed shutters can be added.

Adapters are available to attach the system to the excitation or emission ports of any research grade microscope.

The controller accepts commands via RS-232 connection; it can control two wheels.

It can also accept TTL pulses to trigger motion, and output a TTL sync pulse upon arrival at the commanded filter position.

Wheels are available to hold sixteen 25 mm, eight 25 mm, six 32 mm filters or four 40 mm filters.

Custom Shutter Assemblies

ASI’s shutter housings provide a simple means of controlling light in both the UV and white light paths.

They are ASI’s own design, and are specifically designed to prolong the life of the shutters by dissipating heat.

ASI shutter housings are available for most microscopes and are as easy to install as the original light source.

They are precisely machined for insertion between the microscope’s light source and the microscope, using the original microscope manufacturer’s mounting design. Their thin 21.6mm profile results in minimal extension of the light path.

The housings accept either normally open or normally closed Uniblitz VS25 shutters, which are sold separately.

SC-2000 Shutter Controller

One of the unique needs of video microscopy when using fluorescent labeled images is the ability to precisely limit exposure times. ASI’s shutter controllers provide both the precise control and the fast response times that are required when working with these dyes.

The SC-2000 is a two-channel shutter controller that provides several means for control of the shutters. Each shutter can be activated from a front panel switch, from TTL signals, from foot switches, or via RS-232 serial computer control. In addition to simple on/off control, the controller can also be configured to provide a programmable fixed shutter exposure time. The unit is designed to work with either normally open or normally closed shutters in both the white light and ultraviolet light paths of the microscope.

Connections on the back panel provide for RS-232C serial command, foot switch, and TTL trigger inputs for each shutter. Additionally, SYNC OUT signals indicate when the shutters are open (if used with shutters equipped with sync sensors).

SH-2 Shutter Controller Option

The SH-2 shutter card allows operation of two ASI shutters via an ASI Tiger Controller, requiring a single slot in the Tiger.

Shutters connected to the SH-2 can be controlled with the front panel toggle switch, with TTL inputs via BNC connectors on the front panel, by a foot switch connected to those BNC connectors, and with RS-232 commands via a FW-1000 filter wheel controller that is installed in the Tiger cabinet with the SH-2.

MS-2000-WK Multi-Axis Stage Controller

The MS-2000-WK control unit provides manual and computer‐driven control of Applied Scientific Instrumentation’s X‐Y‐Z stages and a piezoelectric Z-stage. It communicates with as many as four motors, with an analog output for the piezoelectric drive.

Communication with a computer is via RS‐232 serial or USB communications; leading imaging software including MetaMorph from Molecular Devices and iVision‐Mac™ from BioVision Technologies supports the MS-2000-WK.

For stand-alone use, the control unit’s backlit LCD display shows the stage’s X, Y, and Z coordinates, and its “Zero” and “Home” buttons provide simple operation.

The tabletop control unit is compact as well; its dimensions are 6×9×3″ (depth×width×height).

The control unit supports options for:

• Linear Encoders
• Piezo Z-axis Control
• Hardware Video Autofocus
• Z-axis Drives with Electromechanical Clutch
• Raster and Serpentine Scanning Routines with TTL Synchronization
• Leica Smart Move™ Digital Potentiometers for X‐Y Motion Control
• TTL Control of Moves to Previously Stored Locations

RM-2000 Rack Mount Stage Controller

The RM-2000 control unit provides manual and computer‐driven control of Applied Scientific Instrumentation’s X‐Y‐Z stages, a piezoelectric Z stage, two filter wheels, and two shutters. It communicates with as many as four motors, with an analog output for the piezoelectric drive.

Communication with a computer is via RS‐232 serial or USB communications; leading imaging software including MetaMorph from Molecular Devices and iVision‐Mac™ from BioVision Technologies supports the RM-2000.

For stand-alone use, the control unit’s backlit LCD display shows the stage’s X, Y, and Z coordinates, and toggle switches on its front panel provide for manual operation of of the filter wheels and the shutter. The joystick’s “Zero” and “Home” buttons provide simple operation of the stage.

The 2U control unit fits in a 19‐inch rack; its dimensions are 9×19×3.2″ (depth×width×height).

The control unit supports options for:

• Z-Drives, with Clutch Switch
• Dual Filterwheel Control
• Dual Shutter Control
• Piezo Z-axis Control
• Linear Encoders (XYZ)
• Hardware Video Autofocus
• Raster and Serpentine Scanning Routines with TTL Synchronization
• Leica Smart Move™ Digital Potentiometers for X‐Y Motion Control
• TTL Control of Moves to Previously Stored Locations
• Multi-output Hardware Sequencer Functions

TG-1000 Tiger Controller

The Tiger controller is an expandable modular card rack based system. Racks are available with either 8 or 16 card slots. The Tiger is designed to control one or more microscope workstations simultaneously from a single USB connection.

Card	Slots Required	Description
TGCOM	1	Communication card. Connects to host computer with USB interface. Provides communication with all cards in the TG78 or TG16 box.
TGDCM2	1	Dual axis motion control card
TGADEPT	2	Single axis motion control card
TGFW	2	Dual FW-1000 Filterwheel control card
TGMM4	1	Four-axis micro-mirror scanner control card.
TGDAC	1	Piezo DAC Card. Provides 2 DAC outputs to control third party piezos, Analog output range is 0–10 V.
TGCRISP	1	CRISP card. Provides CRISP focus control of DC servo stage such as LS-50, has TTL I/O.
TGPLC	1	Field-programmable card for digital logic, like a mini‐FPGA. Has eight front‐panel I/O ports plus connections to the Tiger backplane.
TGTTL	1	Jumper‐configurable TTL card with four I/O ports. For most applications this has been replaced by TGPLC.
TGBUF	1	Two‐channel 50 Ohm TTL driver.
TGLED	1	Tiger plug‐in card that can drive up to four MIM LED-LAMP-NRs (high‐brightness LED illuminators)

MFC-2000 Z-Axis Drive and Controller

The MFC-2000 has been specifically designed to provide a high‐resolution and highly repeatable, means of controlling the focus/Z position of the microscope stage. The use of a closed‐loop DC servomotor employing high‐resolution encoders for positioning feedback provides precise control of the microscope’s focus. It also eliminates loss of the focus point can as can occur with open‐loop stepper motors.

Rather than a one‐size‐fits‐all design, the Z‐axis drive is custom designed for a specific model of microscope, and when installed, it becomes an integral part of the microscope. A switch located on the control console operates a clutch that disengages the motor drive from the fine focus shaft when the drive is not needed. When disengaged, the position still displays and is still available for interrogation by computer, and the microscope can be focused manually without any drag or twisting of cables.

Installation of the Z‐axis drive requires no modification to the microscope other than removal of the fine focus knob and replacement of a back plate or base plate, depending on the particular microscope. All of the necessary hardware components, tools and detailed instructions, including a videotape on installing the drive, are provided with every unit.

The microprocessor‐controlled MFC-2000 control unit provides for RS‐232 communication with a host computer. High‐speed serial communication using USB is also possible.

MAC 6000 Controller

Automation Control 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.

State‐of‐the‐art processors and programmable logic devices coupled with enhanced software interfaces enable sophisticated hardware signaling capabilities. Electronic and software triggering features eliminate communication overhead making the MAC 6000 ideally suited for high throughput applications.

A separate shutter-only controller is also available. This controller is capable of driving up to 4 shutters. Digital inputs and outputs are provided for synchronizing the shutter with cameras and other acquisition devices. The controller’s USB and RS-232 interfaces provide access for imaging software.