The DSX portfolio – a new era of industrial opto-digital microscopy

Olympus has today launched its new family of opto-digital microscopes; the DSX series. Through the combination of advanced optics, electronics and Olympus’s renowned expertise, the DSX microscopes provide users with superb operating simplicity, and absolute performance reliability. Consisting of three models: the DSX100 free-angle wide zoom microscope, the DSX500 high resolution upright microscope and the DSX500i high resolution inverted microscope, Olympus can provide a complete inspection system to meet the needs of applications across R&D and quality control. These include inspection and analysis within the automotive industry, palaeontology, geology, PCB manufacture, fibre structure, micro-channels, metallography and the geometry of small parts. Every user can get expert results, without the need to understand microscopy.

As microscopy and inspection expand across a broader range of industry sectors, more and more users are accessing microscopy techniques on a regular basis. Within a facility, users tend to have a wide variety of microscopy experience.  It is therefore important that the inspection system is easy to use for beginners and experts alike. The DSX portfolio allows users to work in the way that is most comfortable for them. With no microscope binoculars, the systems are highly ergonomic, allowing samples to be visualised on-screen. Furthermore, the microscopes can be controlled quickly and easily via the intuitive touch-screen interface, or using a more traditional computer mouse. All three members of the DSX family operate in the same computer-based manner, meaning that operators can easily move from one model to another without the need for specific training.

Image analysis is highly intuitive, with the DSX preview screen facilitating the quick and simple selection of the best optical technique, without the need for any time-consuming adjustments. The system will automatically generate a selection of preview images which are shown as thumbnails for each technique – brightfield, darkfield, differential interference contrast (DIC) –all the user needs to do is touch the screen to indicate their preferred imaging approach.

Providing an option to suit all users, there are a number of selectable modes. The tutorial mode helps to guide operators who are new to the process, while the advanced mode provides an additional level of flexibility to a user with a basic level of knowledge. Furthermore, the operator mode allows customisation of the interface so as only the required functionality is visible for routine work. The operator mode also allows user profiles to be set-up so as specific protocols, especially those of the more advanced user which have been fine-tuned and tailored to specific requirements, can be quickly and easily saved and recalled.

Combining functionality such as HDR (high dynamic range) and WiDER with an advanced optical zoom and dedicated objective lenses, high resolution images can be obtained effortlessly at the best size for each application. The new zoom optics reduce halation and glare to provide images of the best possible clarity, while the dedicated lenses fuse superior optics with sophisticated image processing for precise, accurate and repeatable measurements, every time. The DSX series of opto-digital microscopes sets a new bar for optical microscopy and non-confocal metrology.

A new angle on industrial microscopy

Combining its expertise in the optical and digital microscopy techniques, Olympus has launched the new DSX100 free-angle, wide zoom opto-digital microscope. When inspecting any sample, it is vital that operators are able to view the specimen in detail from any angle. Providing free-angle functionality with even, user-controlled illumination, and the ability to stitch images on screen, the DSX100 provides a large field of view to ensure that users can obtain the complete picture, with advanced clarity. This, in combination with its long working distance, solid build and easy to use GUI make the DSX ideal for any user working across R&D and quality control in the industrial environment.

Designed to meet the needs of entry-level and advanced users alike, the DSX100 opto-digital microscope combines an easy to use, intuitive touch-screen interface with advanced functionality. The free-angle design of the microscope allows users to view samples from all sides, without the need to move the sample, recalibrate, or refocus, thus saving valuable time. As a result, users can position and lock the zoom head, allowing the detailed inspection of any grooves, cuts or protrusions, for example. Designed with a low centre of gravity and a sturdy frame, shifting the zoom head does not cause the microscope to come out of alignment, or any discomfort to the user.

The optical technology incorporated into the DSX100 puts the level and direction of illumination into the hands of the user. The use of a four-segment LED ring light makes scratches and defects even easier to see, thus avoiding unwanted shadowing and darkness. The ring light is divided into quadrants, allowing the use of any combination of these sections at a given time. The energy-saving LEDs do not change in temperature when illumination intensity is modified, therefore the need to adjust white balance is also eliminated. Further optimising illumination, the HDR (high dynamic range) ensures that any defects are easy to see in still visuals, while Olympus’s proprietary WiDER enables easy inspection of samples with high luminance difference, by reducing any issues associated with high contrast, without reducing the frame rate.

Using the DSX100, there is no such thing as outside of the field of vision. The stage can be moved across the sample, while individual images are automatically stitched together on-screen to provide a complete panormic picture of the sample. Users can then zoom in on individual features, providing an in-depth level of clarity. In addition, the DSX100 features extended focal imaging (EFI) which enables the microscope to focus on multiple planes within the sample. As such, uneven surfaces become easy to image and inspect from virtually any angle.

Making the detection of specific components for analysis as easy as possible, users can use the colour selector to highlight possible defects, while the rest of the sample is in monochrome. This functionality can save significant time when looking for specific features within a complex sample, speeding up analysis while boosting accuracy.

Combined with Olympus’s leading, dedicated optics, camera and LEDs, colour reproduction of the DSX100 is outstanding. Providing a complete inspection system, the DSX100 provides absolute reliability, helping users to discover a new dimension of microscopy.

Advanced industrial imaging made simple

As part of the newly launched portfolio of DSX opto-digital microscopes, the DSX500 high resolution upright inspection system offers advanced analysis, while being simple for every user to use, regardless of their expertise. With its motorised control, the DSX500 allows the simple selection of the best observation method, including differential interference contrast and MIX – a combination of darkfield and brightfield techniques. The intuitive touch screen user interface not only eliminates the need for uncomfortable binoculars, but enables the selection of the best observation method. With the ability to automatically focus and optimise illumination, clear images are obtained easily. Users can choose the panoramic function which enables operators to obtain images beyond the field of view in high definition – whether in 2D or 3D. Simply at the touch of a screen users can obtain exact inspection data, and subsequent resulting reports.

The DSX500 puts a wide range of illumination options into the hands of every user, regardless of their levels of expertise. With the DSX500, users can simply select brightfield, darkfield, differential interference contrast (DIC), polarised observation (PO) or MIX function, by touching the automatically generated on-screen preview images. The new MIX function essentially combines brightfield measurements with darkfield LED illumination, providing a totally novel way of detecting defects and imperfections while observing the sample, opening a range of new application opportunities. In combination with the high dynamic range (HDR) and WiDER functionality, which reduces contrast and increases clarity, users can easily obtain high-fidelity images with no halation or blackouts.

Building on the capabilities of the DSX100, the DSX500 incorporates a 13x zoom range. World leading optics provide excellent contrast, which can be used to perform reliable 3D analysis. The use of the specially designed long-working distance lenses also allow in-depth inspection and measurement of samples with uneven surfaces, without any worry of damage (either to the microscope or the sample) since the lens and sample are less likely to come into contact.

The DSX500 opto-digital microscope incorporates all of the user friendly features common to the DSX portfolio. As a computer-based system, it is driven by a user friendly graphical user interface with touch-screen functionality. The ‘best image’ function ensures that the optimal image is captured every time, while the three operator modes ensure that the relevant functionality and guidance is tailored to the experience level of the operator.

Integrating Olympus’s leading CCD camera, dedicated objective lenses, intuitive interface and a wide range of imaging and illumination options, the DSX500 provides the complete analysis and inspection system for any application.