TXT-Controller controls my Nikon SE microscope.
Verfasst: 24 Jul 2019, 19:42
I've been working on my microscope project for several months. The project is in its final phase. The aim is to control a converted Nikon microscope unit via RoboPro. A Nikon D7100 camera with a tube lens 70-200mm is mounted on the microscope. On the microscope itself, different lenses can be mounted according to the desired magnification. Currently I own a 4X, a 40x and a 100x microscope lens. The 40x and the 100x are oil lenses for large magnifications. Resolution of the images are in the um area. They are used for viewing of preparations.
The 4x microscope lens is more suitable for small insects. A full image has about 11mm image view. The depth of sharpness of the images with such a lens is around 20 um. To photograph an insect part from 1mm to 2mm height you have to shoot at least 50 to 100 images. Once you have recorded all these images, they will be compiled into one sharp image using stacking software. This is done with zerene stacker software.
I use the TXT-Controller to control the stepper motor, flash and camera via the I2C. The flash contains 4 COB leds each 125W peak. The higher the power, the shorter the exposure time you can take. This is a great advantage to avoid blur due to small vibrations of the system. Even the camera shutter movement gives already strong vibrations. This is why certain delays have been used in the timing of the camera.
The TXT-Controller has the great advantage of a perfect interface with your user screen. You can put a lot of controls, values, and functions on your screen. Programming goes very smoothly and flexible. From the TXT-Controller I only use the I2C. All other functions are performed in real time by an FPGA which is programmed as a large intelligent I2C chip. Timing is done in usec. The I2C FPGA can deliver all data back to the TXT-Controller. Position of the stepper motor, the settings of the flash times, the number of pictures to be taken, the step per picture, etc. The microscope is connected to the I2C chip via a fast SPI line. The refrech time is 10 usec. All functions are executed in the I2C chip, so the TXT-Controller itself does not need a critical function anymore.
The controller housing and flash are compatible with Fischertechnik elements via 3D printing. On my Flickr web all schematics are available. I would have to give an overview drawing but this takes a lot of time. I'll make this later.
Some images of the modified microscope:
HD: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/48365354531
HD: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/48365489737
HD: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/48365489612
The PC screen of the TXT-Controller interface is shown here:
HD: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/48329195426
The result of a shoot after stacking:
Hd: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/48329254706
Note that the latter image is actually a full 3D HD image. How to handle it is shown in the picture on my Flick web.
I can give more details if desired. The problem is that this requires a lot of preparation.
Frans.
The 4x microscope lens is more suitable for small insects. A full image has about 11mm image view. The depth of sharpness of the images with such a lens is around 20 um. To photograph an insect part from 1mm to 2mm height you have to shoot at least 50 to 100 images. Once you have recorded all these images, they will be compiled into one sharp image using stacking software. This is done with zerene stacker software.
I use the TXT-Controller to control the stepper motor, flash and camera via the I2C. The flash contains 4 COB leds each 125W peak. The higher the power, the shorter the exposure time you can take. This is a great advantage to avoid blur due to small vibrations of the system. Even the camera shutter movement gives already strong vibrations. This is why certain delays have been used in the timing of the camera.
The TXT-Controller has the great advantage of a perfect interface with your user screen. You can put a lot of controls, values, and functions on your screen. Programming goes very smoothly and flexible. From the TXT-Controller I only use the I2C. All other functions are performed in real time by an FPGA which is programmed as a large intelligent I2C chip. Timing is done in usec. The I2C FPGA can deliver all data back to the TXT-Controller. Position of the stepper motor, the settings of the flash times, the number of pictures to be taken, the step per picture, etc. The microscope is connected to the I2C chip via a fast SPI line. The refrech time is 10 usec. All functions are executed in the I2C chip, so the TXT-Controller itself does not need a critical function anymore.
The controller housing and flash are compatible with Fischertechnik elements via 3D printing. On my Flickr web all schematics are available. I would have to give an overview drawing but this takes a lot of time. I'll make this later.
Some images of the modified microscope:
HD: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/48365354531
HD: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/48365489737
HD: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/48365489612
The PC screen of the TXT-Controller interface is shown here:
HD: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/48329195426
The result of a shoot after stacking:
Hd: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/48329254706
Note that the latter image is actually a full 3D HD image. How to handle it is shown in the picture on my Flick web.
I can give more details if desired. The problem is that this requires a lot of preparation.
Frans.