Home > Filter Wheel with Integrated Controller

Filter Wheel with Integrated Controller

The Filter Wheel with Integrated Controller is designed primarily for changing filters in the excitation light path of fluorescence microscopes. It can be used also in the emission light path. On some microscopes it could be mounted in the transillumination light path. The filter wheel provides fast computer controlled or manual switching of filters. It can accommodate either 12 filters, 25mm in diameter, or 10 filters, 32mm in diameter. The filters could be up to 6 mm in thickness (modification for thicker filters can be ordered). Filters are held in filter wells with a single screw as shown here.  Infra-red blocking filter can be installed on the side facing the light source. 

The wheel can be used as part of automated microscope systems. It has a simple, cost-effective and highly reliable construction. The wheel is compact in size. It is 17mm thick, maximum outside dimension of the housing is 180 mm. The case is made of 1/8” aluminum and is very rigid. A knob with filter numbers is mounted on the front of the motor. Current active filter corresponds to the number closest to the controller box. If the wheel is not powered, the knob can be used for manual filter positioning. The Filter Wheel with Integrated Controller does not need any additional control units; it connects directly to the computer serial or USB port via a cable with built-in converter. This innovative design provides cost saving, requires less desk space, and reduces cable clutter. See possible system configurations.

The key feature of the design is direct drive. Filter wheel is mounted directly on the motor shaft. A stepping motor with 200 steps per revolution is driven by a microstepping controller. A built-in optical switch is used to home the wheel after power up or as needed. Time required to switch between the adjacent filters is around 230 milliseconds. Switching time depends on parameters of the wheel controller. If faster switching time is needed, the wheel can be ordered with an extra long motor. 

Mounting adapters are provided for the major microscope brands. For some microscopes an extender may be needed with the front adapter to prevent interference of the motor with the microscope body. The length of extenders if they are required is reflected in the third column of the ordering table. In some cases if an extender is required but undesirable, it may be possible to mount the filter wheel facing back without the need for extender.

A filter wheel or several filter wheels can be used also for non-microscope applications; they can be mounted on optical benches for custom configurations.  A filter wheel may be ordered with custom adapters per user specification, see an example here.

Specifications

Ordering information for filter wheels (DD is filter diameter: 25mm or 32mm)

Note: To show microscope-dependent mounting we use the same images as for the filter wheels without integrated controller.

(*) - depends on mounting orientation

(***) - depends on illumination port used

The following additional charges are for the parts that must be ordered from microscope manufacturers.

(1) - for quick disconnect add $300.

(2) - for quick disconnect add $200.

(3) - add $250.

(4) - for replacement collar add $150.

Specifications and prices are subject to change without notice. Delivery 4-6 weeks ARO.

    In the news:

Laboratory Equipment, August 2007, p.14 "Small Controller Enables Distributed Microscope Automation" and online.

Photonics Spectra, February 2007, Vol. 41, Issue 2, p. 134.

Biophotonics International, February 2007, Vol. 14, No. 2, p. 73.

Photonics.com: A compact filter wheel with an integrated controller has been unveiled by Tofra Inc. ... 

Laboratorytalk: Microscope filter wheel has integrated controller

Labhoo: TOFRA, Inc. Introduces Filter Wheel with Integrated Controller

www.microscopy.info: Filter Wheel with Integrated Controller

Medical Design Technology, May 2007, Vol. 11, No. 5, p. 32 and online.

Home > Filter Wheel with Integrated Controller