How to choose the right Industrial Microscope

How to choose the right Industrial Microscope. Every business and industry has its unique requirements when it comes to microscopes. They expect high flexibility and operational readiness. An ideal microscopic solution should provide improved resolution and sample contrast. The industry demands a holistic overview of the type of sample under observation and its features like macro observation, micro observation, 3D height observation, or a combination of all. Industrial Microscopes come in many options. So, we have listed down the latest solutions available for each type of microscope to help you access what is best for your business application.

Laser Confocal Microscopes (How to choose the right Industrial Microscope)

Olympus LEXT OLS5100 combines exceptional accuracy and optical performance with smart tools that make the system easy to use. The tasks of precisely measuring shape and surface roughness at the submicron level are fast and efficient, simplifying your workflow and delivering high-quality data you can trust. It has two optical systems, color imaging and laser confocal, that enables the observer to gather information on sample color and shape in the form of high-definition images. The color imaging optics acquires information using a white-light LED light source and a CMOS image sensor while the laser confocal optics acquire confocal images using a 405 nm laser diode light source and a high-sensitivity photomultiplier. 

The shallow depth of focus enables it to measure the surface irregularities of the sample. The Olympus LEXT OLS5100 is an exceptional laser confocal device that uses a non-destructive observation method. It does not require any sample preparation— all you need to do is place the sample on the stage and it’s ready to measure. Ready to measure. (How to choose the right Industrial Microscope)

Digital Microscopes

The DSX1000 Digital Microscope is the first of its kind with the possibility of observing macro, micro, and 3D features of a sample from 20x to 7000x magnification. It comes with 17 objective lenses, including super long working distance and high numerical aperture options, which provide the flexibility to obtain a wide range of images. The eucentric optical design maintains a good visual field when tilted or when the stage is rotated, enabling you to observe your sample from all possible angles. It displays sample images captured with 6 different observation methods with a single click. Olympus DSX 1000 is an ideal solution for Education, research, forensics, electronics, quality control, metal fabrication, automotive, etc. Packed with a telecentric optical system the DSX1000 guarantees accuracy and repeatability.

Stereo Zoom Microscope (How to choose the right Industrial Microscope)

This type of microscope is ideal for viewing large specimens. Stereo Zoom Microscopes provide the observer with an upright view of the subject as a stereoscopic 3D picture versus a 2D flat image view by compound microscope. They are the choice of microscope for applications such as circuit board repair, circuit board inspection, surface mount technology work, electronics inspection, coin collecting, gemology and gemstone setting, engraving, repair & inspection of small parts, and detecting manufacturing or production flaws in quality control units of various industries. Olympus SZ61/SZ51 is a reliable stereo zoom microscope if you are looking for consistently accurate results from your observations. (How to choose the right Industrial Microscope)

Light Microscope

If your study involves observing fine objects in great detail, a light microscope might just be the tool for you. Light microscopes aided by visible light can detect, magnify and enlarge your specimen to fit your observation needs. They use a series of glass lenses to aim a light beam through the subject and then through convex objective lenses to produce an enlarged view. Olympus Light Microscopes are available in the Upright, Inverted, and Modular version, and are ideal for integration with advanced inspection systems providing versatility for a variety of materials science and industrial applications. (How to choose the right Industrial Microscope)

Measuring Microscope (How to choose the right Industrial Microscope)

Industrial measuring microscopes combine sophisticated optics with a table that enables precise movements to measure targets. Their functional diversity allows them to meet high precision inspection needs. So if you are looking to gather high-performance readings of complex samples, choose a measuring microscope. They provide reliable, accurate, and repeatable measurements on the three axes. Therefore their primary applications include quality control and assembly. Check out the Olympus STM7 for versatility in application and high performance. It is a user-friendly device with high-precision and allows 3-Axis Measurement.

Semiconductor & Flat Panel Display Inspection Microscopes

As the name describes Semiconductor & Flat Panel Display Inspection Microscopes provide high-quality observations for large-sized samples, up to 300 mm wafers, flat panel displays, printed circuit boards, etc. Olympus MX63/MX63L and AL120 are the industry-leading models for these inspection microscopes. (How to choose the right Industrial Microscope)

Cleanliness Inspector (How to choose the right Industrial Microscope)

The practical application of particle size and distribution can directly impact the efficiency, lifespan, and dependability of many manufactured products. Therefore, it is essential to have a reliable solution for particle counting, sizing, and classification. Olympus CIX100 is the most sought after inspection system for manufacturers who maintain high standards for cleanliness of the components they manufacture. It can acquire, process, and document technical cleanliness inspection data in a matter of a few minutes. It has an intuitive software which guides the users step by step through the process, enabling novice operators to acquire cleanliness data with ease.

Industrial microscopes have various applications in major industries like electronics, metals, academic research, glass and ceramics, environment, mining, geology, and others. So it is important to map the functionality of each type to the requirements of your applications. Similar to any industry, the key to making the right decision with microscopy is having the right device for the task at hand. Consider, what you want to observe, what is the nature of your subject, does the subject allow light to pass through and the objective of the observation. This will help you narrow down your search from Industrial Microscopes to Compound/Stereo microscope and further into any type of niche microscopy.

Author- Gyanesh Singh Application Specialist at IR Technology Services Pvt. Ltd Passionate about Microscopy for Micro and Nanostructures. Gyanesh has over 10 years of experience in demonstration and serving application of various techniques to potential clients and enjoys learning new sophisticated scientific technology for Material Science and Life Science.