Objective Mounting for DIY Cerna® Systems

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CSN100 Nosepiece and M32M25S Adapter in a DIY Cerna^® System

• Hold One Objective in a DIY Cerna System
• CSN100: M32 x 0.75 Internal Threads, 60 mm Cage System Compatibility, and Slim Profile
• CSN1201: M32 x 0.75 Internal Threads and Slot for DIC
  Objective Prism
• Attach to Motorized Focusing Module for 1" of Fine Z Travel

These nosepieces hold a single objective at the 7.74" throat depth of a DIY Cerna system. Both are directly compatible with M32 x 0.75-threaded objectives. We also offer microscope thread adapters to convert M32 x 0.75 threads to other industry-standard objective threads.

The CSN100 Single-Objective Nosepiece has a thin 0.38" profile that conserves distance along the optical path, maximizing the space available for other microscope modules. In contrast, the CSN1201 Single-Objective Nosepiece is 2.17" long, but has a slot that accepts a DIC objective prism.

The CSN100 nosepiece has four 4-40 through taps for 60 mm cage system compatibility. It can be directly attached to a motorized focusing module (available below) via six M4 counterbores. Recessed magnets on top of the nosepiece mate to the bellows included with Cerna microscope bodies with epi-illumination arms, creating a light-tight optical path between the nosepiece and the epi-illumination arm.

In comparison, the CSN1201 nosepiece requires the CSA1200 Mounting Arm (sold separately) to attach to a motorized focusing module. Recessed magnets on the CSA1200 arm mate to the bellows included with Cerna microscope bodies with epi-illumination arms, creating a light-tight optical path between the nosepiece and the epi-illumination arm.

 For machining an arm utilizing non-standard nosepiece threading, consider the CSA1500 blank arm, which can also be attached to a motorized focusing module.

• Hold Two Objectives in a DIY Cerna System
• CSN200: Manual, M32 x 0.75 Internal Threads
• CSN210: Motorized, M32 x 0.75 Internal Threads
• Attach to Motorized Focusing Module for 1" of Fine Z Travel

These nosepieces hold two objectives in DIY Cerna systems. They are ideal for constructing systems that use a low-magnification objective to find a region of interest and a high-magnification objective to image.

Each nosepiece includes a D1T dovetail to attach to the CSA1400 Mounting Arm (sold separately). Using the arm, the nosepiece can be mounted to a motorized focusing module. Recessed magnets on the CSA1400 arm mate to the bellows included with Cerna microscope bodies with epi-illumination arms to create a light-tight optical path between the nosepiece and the epi-illumination arm. To switch and secure objectives into position, the CSN200 nosepiece uses a manual slide with detents, whereas the CSN210 nosepiece uses a precision servo motor. Please see the table to the right for more details on the performance specifications.

The motorized objective changer is controlled remotely on a PC (not included) using the included 6 ft USB cable and software; a link to download the software is also provided below. The motorized nosepiece features collision detection and will stop immediately when interference is detected. It must be rehomed before it can resume normal operation after a collision. The positions should only be changed using the motor. If it is moved manually, the nosepiece must be rehomed before it can move to either position again.

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The CSN210 nosepiece can be mounted in two orientations, parallel to the epi-illumination path (shown left with the CSN200), or perpendicular to the epi-illumination path (shown right with the CSN210). Each nosepiece attaches to the motorized focusing module via the CSA1400 mounting arm, which is sold separately. Note to mount the CSN210 parallel to the epi-illumination path the ZFM2030 module needs to be used. Objectives are not included with the nosepieces. Note also that the bellows shown here is longer than the standard bellows included with a microscope body.

Motorized Nosepiece 
Software 

Version 4.0 (August 16, 2018)

This software package contains the installation files for the GUI interface, driver, SDK, and support documentation. The software is compatible with Windows^® 7 or 10 (64-bit) systems.

• Hold Two Objectives in a DIY Cerna System
• CSN1202: Manual, M25 x 0.75 Internal Threads and Slots for DIC Objective Prisms
• Attach to Motorized Focusing Module for 1" of Fine Z Travel

This nosepiece holds two objectives in DIY Cerna systems. It is ideal for constructing systems that use a low-magnification objective to find a region of interest and a high-magnification objective to image. This objective holder offers parfocal adjustment for the objectives and each position has a slot that accepts a DIC objective prism. 

The nosepiece requires the CSA1200 Mounting Arm (sold separately) to attach to a motorized focusing module. The CSN1202 objective holder slides into the CSA1200 arm and can be secured with a side-located locking screw with a 2 mm hex. Recessed magnets on the CSA1200 arm mate to the bellows included with Cerna microscope bodies with epi-illumination arms to create a light-tight optical path between the nosepiece and the epi-illumination arm. 

The CSN1202 nosepiece switches between objectives using a manual mechanism that retracts the objective that is not in use to avoid collisions with your sample, as demonstrated in the video below. Additionally, each objective position has an independent adjuster knob that can be used to fine tune the objectives' parfocality. To help ensure the objectives' relative centration, the front objective position has three 2 mm hex adjustment screws, arranged 120° apart, which adjust that objective's transverse position. 

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The CSN1202 nosepiece retracts the objective that is not in use. It attaches to the motorized focusing module via the CSA1200 mounting arm, which is sold separately. For clarity, the nosepiece is shown here with objectives and objective prisms installed; these items are not included with the nosepiece.

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The CSN510 Nosepiece mounted with the CSA1400 arm in a DIY Cerna System.

• Hold Five Objectives in a DIY Cerna System with a 7.74" Throat Depth
• CSN500: M25 x 0.75 Internal Threads
• CSN510: RMS Internal Threads
• Attach to Motorized Focusing Module for 1" of Fine Z Travel

These nosepieces hold five objectives in DIY Cerna systems. They are ideal for constructing systems that require multiple low- and high-magnification objectives. The objective turret's housing and threads are made from lead-free bronze, with an aluminum back plate. The precision detent mechanism is designed with a hardened 440C stainless steel ball on a cantilever spring that engages the grooves machined into the bronze housing. The detent mechanism can position the objective lenses with a bi-directional repeatability of ±40 µm. The table to the right gives performance specifications for the turrets when integrated into well aligned systems, where all components are aligned horizontally and vertically to the optical axis. Every nosepiece is tested and shipped with a data sheet.

The CSN500 nosepiece is compatible with M25 x 0.75-threaded objectives, while the CSN510 accepts RMS (0.800"-36)-threaded objectives. We do not recommend using thread adapters with these holders because centricity misalignments may occur.

Each nosepiece has a male D1T dovetail and can be attached to a motorized focusing module via the CSA1400 Mounting Arm (sold separately). Recessed magnets on the CSA1400 arm mate to the bellows included with Cerna microscope bodies with epi-illumination arms, creating a light-tight optical path between the nosepiece and the epi-illumination arm. On a DIY Cerna System, the nosepiece should be mounted with the dovetail facing away, so the nosepiece tilts upward, as shown to the lower right.

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The objectives can be changed by manually rotating the front face of the nosepiece.

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The CSN510 is shown with objectives of increasing magnification.

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The back of each nosepiece has a D1T dovetail. This dovetail is used to attach to the CSA1400 Mounting Arm.

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Exploded View

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Assembled View

The scanner is installed by threading a brass adapter into the microscope's objective holder with the included spanner wrench and tightening a flexure clamp around the adapter with the included 5/64" (2 mm) hex key. The objective is attached to the scanner using a separate brass adapter and flexure clamp.

• Enables Objective Positioning and Z-Stack Acquisition with Resolution Down
  to 1 nm
• Travel Range: 600 µm ± 10% in Open Loop; 450 µm in Closed Loop
• Support for Heavy Objectives up to 500 g
• Maximum Clear Aperture of Ø29.0 mm Supports Large-Field-of-View Objectives
• Requires Microscope and Objective Adapters (Sold Separately)

The PFM450E Piezo Objective Positioner is designed for fine focus adjustment and high-speed Z-stack acquisition. Built-in capacitive feedback sensors allow the scanner to provide 1 nm resolution in open-loop operation and 3 nm resolution in closed-loop operation, enabling active compensation for short- and long-term drifts.

In order to permit easy switching between objectives, the piezo stage is attached to the microscope and objective by independent adapters. This design choice allows the objective to be removed without disconnecting the rest of the assembly. Adapters are available for M32 x 0.75, M27 x 0.75, SM1 (1.035"-40), M26 x 0.706, M25 x 0.75, and RMS (0.800"-36) threads. At least one microscope adapter and one objective adapter are required to install the scanner.

Each scanner is shipped with a piezo controller that has been factory calibrated to the specific scanner. Objective positioning is supported through the included standalone Kinesis^® and APT™ GUIs, our ThorImage^®LS image acquisition software, an externally supplied control voltage, or the MZF001 Joystick Console (sold separately). The controller offers USB and RS-232 interfaces for computer control; a BNC input for sine, sawtooth, and square wave drive signals; a BNC output that gives either positioning feedback from the scanner's built-in capacitive sensors or a signal proportional to the piezo drive voltage; and a connector for the MZF001 joystick. In addition, a DB15 connector provides signals that can be used for synchronization with external equipment.

More details on this scanner are available at its full web presentation. Please note that if installing it on the CSN200 or CSN210 Sliding Dual-Objective Nosepieces, the piezo stage and two adapters will add 11.5 mm of distance to the optical path, which will affect the objectives' parfocality. Also note that this scanner is not compatible with the CSN1202 Dual-Objective Nosepiece, as the flange on the PFMA05 Microscope Adapter will mechanically clash with the neighboring objective. 

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In this photo, our SM2NFM Nikon F-Mount Adapter is holding a macro lens for functional imaging.

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When the CSA2100 is attached to the microscope body, the internal SM2 threads and taps for 60 mm cage systems will be centered around the microscope's 7.74" throat depth.

• Nosepiece and Adapter Together Mount Nikon F-Mount Macro Lenses
• CSA2100: Internal SM2 (2.035"-40) Threads and 4-40 Taps for 60 mm Cage System
• SM2NFM: Female Nikon F-Mount and External SM2 Threads
• Attach to Motorized Focusing Module for 1" of Fine Z Travel

The CSA2100 Arm is designed to be mounted in a DIY Cerna system via the motorized focusing modules sold below. When combined with the SM2NFM Nikon F-Mount Adapter, it allows a Nikon F-Mount macro lens, or any camera lens with an F-Mount, to be mounted at the Cerna system's 7.74" throat depth.

This arm offers a slim 0.38" profile, internal SM2 (2.035"-40) threads, and four 4-40 through taps for Thorlabs' 60 mm cage system. The SM2NFM adapter has a female F-Mount that accepts a lens and external SM2 threads that mate to the nosepiece. More details on this adapter and a version with a male F-Mount are available at its full web presentation.

• Provides Motorized Focusing Adjustment over 1" Travel Range
• 95 mm Dovetail Clamp on Back Connects to Microscope Body
• Includes Six M4 Cap Screws for Attaching Objective Nosepiece or Mounting Arm
• Aligns Optical Port of Nosepiece at 7.74" Throat Depth of DIY Cerna System
• Operated by MCM3001 3-Axis Controller (Sold Separately)

Our Motorized Focusing Modules provide 1" of fine, variable-speed travel along the Z axis for optics in a DIY Cerna system. Each module consists of a 95 mm dovetail clamp that connects to the microscope body, a motorized translation stage, and a mounting bracket with six M4 tapped holes. As shown in the image below, these six M4 taps are spaced to directly mate with the M4 counterbores on our objective nosepieces or mounting arms. A permanently attached 6' (1.8 m) cable connects the module to our MCM3001 3-Axis Controller (sold separately below).

We offer two versions of these stepper motor modules in order to allow the user to mount the nosepiece in whatever manner makes the most efficient use of space. As shown in the drawing below, a nosepiece or arm that is mounted to the ZFM2020 Motorized Module will have one surface in the same plane as the edge of the module. Since this module can be secured to the microscope body in either of two orientations, both of which are shown in the image below, the nosepiece can be positioned at the top or the bottom. In comparison, a nosepiece or arm that is mounted to the ZFM2030 Motorized Module will have one surface in the plane that bisects the module, which is 1.5" away from the module's edge.

If purchasing a motorized focusing module for the CSN200 or CSN210 Sliding Dual-Objective Nosepieces (described above), it is strongly recommended to choose the ZFM2030 module. The CSA1400 Mounting Arm, which is used to attach this nosepiece to the motorized focusing module, will mechanically clash with the ZFM2020 module in most mounting configurations.

When any of the nosepieces available above is used with one of these modules, its optical port will be aligned at the 7.74" throat depth of the DIY Cerna system. The ZFM2020 and ZFM2030 modules use the same motorized translation stage; its specifications are given in the table to the right.

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Our motorized focusing modules attach to objective nosepieces using six M4 cap screws.

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The ZFM2020 module has two possible orientations, creating space along the optical path for an objective attached to a nosepiece.

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When using the ZFM2020 module, the surface of the nosepiece or arm will be flush with the bottom (or top) of the module.

When using the ZFM2030 module, the surface of the nosepiece or arm will be at the middle of the module.

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MCM3001 Being Used to Control Both Axes of the PLS-XY and a ZFM2020 Focusing Module

• Designed for Cerna Components with 1" Motorized Travel
• Knobs Provide Hand-Operated Control for up to Three Axes
• Each Axis can be Individually Disabled to Prevent
  Unintended Movements or to Retain a Position
• Adjust Translation Speed via Top-Located Knob

The MCM3001 3-Axis Controller consists of a hand-operated knob box and a separate controller, as shown in the photo to the right. Each side face of the knob box includes a rotating knob and a push-button switch that are dedicated to a single axis. The push-button switch enables and disables the axis, and is lit in green when the axis is enabled. Disabling the axis lets the user preserve a position or prevent accidental movements. A smaller knob on the top face adjusts the amount of translation per rotation of the knob (see the Controller Specifications table for details).

Since each MCM3001 controller has three channels, you only need to purchase enough channels for each of the modules you intend to drive. For example, a Cerna microscope equipped with a ZFM2020 Motorized Focusing Module (which has one axis) and a PLS-XY Translation Stage (two axes) would only require one MCM3001 controller.

The MCM3001 is compatible with motorized Cerna components that have a travel range of 1", such as our Motorized Focusing Modules and Translation Stages for Rigid Stands; see the Compatible Motor Specifications table for use with alternate motorized products. For components with a 2" travel range, such as our Translating Platforms, the MCM3002 controller should be used instead. If you would like a controller configured to drive more than one type of stage, please contact Tech Support.

SDK and LabVIEW examples are also available by contacting Tech Support.