Focus Drive with Integrated Controller is shown with and without the lid. Z-stack of onion root tip images was acquired on Olympus BX51 microscope with 40X UPlanFL objective using this focus drive and a Canon Digital Rebel camera. Step size 1 μm. |
Focus Drive with Integrated Controller is a microscope attachment for compound and stereo microscopes that provides high resolution movement of fine focus and at the same time retains manual movement of fine and coarse focus. The Focus Drive with Integrated Controller consists of a step motor connected directly to the fine focus shaft of the microscope via a flexible coupling, of a motor controller that drives the motor, and of an adapter that fits over the coarse focus knob of the microscope. The use of a high torsion stiffness flexible coupling ensures virtually no backlash in the drive while allowing easy installation by the end user. This Focus Drive does not need any additional control units; it connects directly to the computer serial 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 focus drive can be ordered with digital output.
Range of travel | Entire vertical range of the microscope |
Minimal step size | 0.001 μm |
Backlash in the drive | 0.125 μm (Not to confuse with backlash in the microscope focus system) |
Mounting | No modification of the microscope is required |
Motor | 2 phase, 0.9 degrees per step, 0.8A/phase |
Controller | Microstepping motion controller and driver EZHR17EN from AllMotion (12-40V) |
Computer Interface | Serial RS232 or USB with USB-to-serial converter |
Control Software | ScopeTool v4.3, LiftTool v1.1, direct control through serial port, LabView VI, EZStepper in MATLAB, Micro-Manager Device Adapter, EZStepper in Python |
Application Software | ZStackTool |
Part number |
Description |
Price (US$) |
101-01 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Olympus BH-2 (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-02 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Nikon Optiphot-1 | 1300. |
101-03 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Nikon Optiphot-2 | 1300. |
101-04 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Zeiss AxioSkop 1 (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-05 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Olympus BX40/BX50/BX60/AX70/IX50/IX70 for Olympus SZX12/16 with FOF | 1300. |
101-06 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Leica DML | 1300. |
101-07 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Nikon Eclipse-800 (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-08 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Nikon Microphot SA | 1300. |
101-09 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Nikon Eclipse-400/600 (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-10 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Zeiss AxioPlan/Phot-2 | 1300. |
101-12 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Zeiss AxioPlan/Phot-1 | 1300. |
101-13 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Zeiss AxioSkop 2 (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-14 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Leica DMR | 1300. |
101-15 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Olympus BX41/BX51/BX61/IX71 (mounting instructions) (mounting of V.2) | 1300. |
101-17 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Nikon TE300 and TE200 | 1300. |
101-18 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Nikon TE2000, Ti and Ti2-U (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-19 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Leitz Diaplan | 1300. |
101-20 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Nikon 80i (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-21 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Leica DM 4000/5000 (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-22 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Nikon 50i (see mounting instructions for Nikon 80i) | 1300. |
101-23 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Motic BA400/450 and AE30/31 (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-24 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Zeiss Axiovert 135 (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-25 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Zeiss Axiovert 200 | 1300. |
101-26 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Breukhoven Inverted | 1300. |
101-27 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Zeiss Photomicroscope | 1300. |
101-28 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Nikon Optiphot 200 | 1300. |
101-29 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Zeiss Axiovert 40 | 1300. |
101-30 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Zeiss Invertoscope D | 1300. |
101-31 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Leitz Orthoplan (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-32 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Lumascope 500; may be environmentally sealed for use in incubators | 1300. (*) |
101-33 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Zeiss AxioScope.A1 (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-34 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Mitutoyo FS50 (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-35 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Leica DM750 (mounting instructions) | 1300. |
101-36 | Focus Drive with Integrated Controller for Zeiss Axiotron 2 | 1300. |
104-94 | Converter (RS232-RS485) Box with USB Converter and Cable (order one of: 104-94, 104-95, 104-96, or 104-97) | 200. |
104-95 | Converter (RS232-RS485) Bracket with USB Converter and Cable | 200. |
104-96 | Converter (RS232-RS485) Box with Serial Cable | 150. |
104-97 | Converter (RS232-RS485) Bracket with Serial Cable | 150. |
104-81 | Power Supply | 60. |
Note: To show microscope-dependent mounting we use the same images as for the focus drives without integrated controller.
Specifications and prices are subject to change without notice. Delivery 4-6 weeks ARO.
(*) for the environmentally sealed version add $200.
In the news:
Laboratory Equipment, August 2007, p.14 "Small Controller Enables Distributed Microscope Automation" and online.
Photonics Spectra, April 2007, Vol. 41, Issue 4, p. 152.
Photonics.com: Tofra, Inc. has introduced a focus drive with an integrated controller for optical microscopes
Laboratorytalk: Microscope focus drive has integrated controller
Labhoo: TOFRA, Inc. Introduces Focus Drive with Integrated Controller
Biophotonics International, May 2007, Vol. 14, No. 5, p. 71.
Medical Design Technology, May 2007, Vol. 11, No. 5, p. 32 and online.
Microscopy Today, May 2007, Vol. 15, No. 3, p. 53.
Bioscience Technology, April 2007, September 2007 p. 40, and online.
R&D, May 2007, Vol. 49, No. 5, p. 40.
Home > Focus Drive with Integrated Controller