We offer a choice of brackets to facilitate mounting the LPXY1 stage to a range of upright and inverted microscopes from Thorlabs, Nikon, and Olympus. Please see the table below for specific compatibility. Each bracket (with the exception of the CSA1000) comes with instructions describing how to attach the stage to the microscope.

C#This programming language is designed to allow multiple programming paradigms, or languages, to be used, thus allowing for complex problems to be solved in an easy or efficient manner. It encompasses typing, imperative, declarative, functional, generic, object-oriented, and component-oriented programming. By providing functionality with this common software platform, Thorlabs has ensured that users can easily mix and match any of the Kinesis controllers in a single application, while only having to learn a single set of software tools. In this way, it is perfectly feasible to combine any of the controllers from the low-powered, single-axis to the high-powered, multi-axis systems and control all from a single, PC-based unified software interface.The Kinesis System Software allows two methods of usage: graphical user interface (GUI) utilities for direct interaction and control of the controllers 'out of the box', and a set of programming interfaces that allow custom-integrated positioning and alignment solutions to be easily programmed in the development language of choice.

LabVIEWLabVIEW can be used to communicate with any Kinesis-based controller via .NET controls. In LabVIEW, you build a user interface, known as a front panel, with a set of tools and objects and then add code using graphical representations of functions to control the front panel objects. The LabVIEW tutorial, provided below, provides some information on using the .NET controls to create control GUIs for Kinesis-driven devices within LabVIEW. It includes an overview with basic information about using controllers in LabVIEW and explains the setup procedure that needs to be completed before using a LabVIEW GUI to operate a device.

Thorlabs offers the Kinesis® software package to drive our wide range of motion controllers. The software can be used to control devices in the Kinesis family, which covers a wide variety of motion controllers ranging from small, low-powered, single-channel drivers (such as the K-Cubes™) to high-power, multi-channel benchtop units and modular 19" rack nanopositioning systems (the MMR60x Rack System).

OlympusSZ61

The MJC2 Joystick Console has been designed for microscope users and provides intuitive, tactile, manual positioning of the LPXY1 stage and other XY translation stages. The console features a two-axis joystick for XY control. In most applications, the default parameter settings saved within the controller allow the joystick to be used out-of-the-box, with no need for further setup, thereby negating the requirement to be connected to a host PC and allowing true remote operation. Parameter settings can also be reprogrammed and saved to a paired controller using a PC, allowing the controller to be disconnected from the computer and remote operation continued.

Controller OptionThe LPXY1 scanning stage is compatible with any of the BSC200 series Benchtop Stepper Motor Controllers. For dual-axis control, Thorlabs recommends the BSC202 two-channel controller. See below for a brief overview, or click here to view the full presentation for this controller. Please note that while the BSC202 controller is compatible with both Thorlabs' Kinesis and APT™ software suites, the LPXY1 stage should only be driven with the Kinesis software to provide the correct current level in the motors. Use of the APT software may cause mechanical failure.

The software package allows two methods of usage: graphical user interface (GUI) utilities for direct interaction with and control of the controllers 'out of the box', and a set of programming interfaces that allow custom-integrated positioning and alignment solutions to be easily programmed in the development language of choice.

BX43olympus

Thorlabs offers several adapter plates and slide holders for the LPXY1 scanning stage. The MLS203P2 microscope slide/petri dish holder and the MLS203P10, MLS203P13, and C4SH01 microscope slide holders can be used with inverted and upright microscopes for standard microscopy applications. The MLS203P10 and MLS203P13 multi-slide holders feature precise spring-loaded slide retention mechanisms, unobstructed bidirectional objective access to the slides and a high degree of parallelism in the XY translation plane. The MLS203P3 blank adapter plate and the MLS203P5 and MLS203P4 tapped breadboard plates are ideal for use in non-standard and custom applications of the LPXY1 stage. These adapter plates and slide holders are also compatible with the MLS203-1 High-Speed Motorized XY Scanning Stage.

CKX53

OlympusCX23

Thorlabs' Kinesis® software features new .NET controls which can be used by third-party developers working in the latest C#, Visual Basic, LabVIEW™, or any .NET compatible languages to create custom applications.

Olympus upright microscopes provide excellent ergonomics for comfortable operation and high quality optics for high color reproducibility.  Modular options allow different observation styles like polarization, brightfield, darkfield, fluorescence and phase contrast.  The Olympus stereo microscopes offer the same quality of design with a clear stereoscopic view.  It also offers a wide zoom ratio for smooth macro-to-micro viewing.

Calibration FilesEach LPXY1 scanning stage is calibrated during manufacturing. Calibration enables the controller to correct for any mechanical errors present in the system. Mechanical components, such as the lead screw and linkages, can be machined only within a certain tolerance. These mechanical errors result in deviations of the actual position from the commanded position. However, the deviations are repeatable and can be compensated for using the Kinesis software and included calibration files. These files are used by the software to convert the position entered by the user into the required mechanical motion. The calibration files can be downloaded by clicking on the red Docs icon () next to the Item # below and entering your device's serial number under "Download Calibration Data."The use of calibration files is optional. Without them, the repeatability and resolution of the stage are unaffected, but no compensations are made to enhance the accuracy. Each stage is calibrated at the factory, giving a typical on-axis accuracy of <5 µm without the use of the calibration files.

Munday Scientific offers a wide range of Olympus microscopes new, used and refurbished with competitive pricing.  We focus on used and refurbished Pathology and Mohs microscopes, but stock microscopes for all applications.  If not new, the microscopes are fully serviced, tested and warrantied.  By purchasing a used microscope you will have a faster lead time and a fully serviced, great working microscope at almost 50 percent of the price of a new system.

Olympusmicroscope

The LPXY1 scanning stage is a drop-in replacement for the manual stages found on select microscopes. It uses stepper motors with open-loop control to provide a compact, reliable, and cost-effective solution for low-speed XY positioning applications. This stage is compatible with Thorlabs' Cerna® microscopes, as well as inverted and upright microscopes from Nikon and Olympus. Adapter brackets can be purchased separately that enable the stage to be fitted to a particular microscope. Tabletop mounting adapters are also available that enable the stage to be bolted to an optical table or breadboard as part of a custom built microscope setup or for use in typical photonics applications (see below for more details).

OlympusCX43

ZEISS microscope

Multiple units can be connected to a single PC via standard USB hub technology; for example, both the BSC202 controller for the LPXY1 stage and the controller with our MZS500-E Z-axis piezo stage kit can be operated simultaneously with a single PC. Combining this feature with the user-friendly Kinesis software allows the user to program and carry out complex move sequences quickly. For more details on the BSC202 controller, please see the Specs tab above or the full presentation for our benchtop stepper motor controllers.

We support microscopes from Olympus, Nikon, Zeiss and Leica. Please contact Technical Support to inquire about bracket availability if your microscope model is not listed above.

By providing this common software platform, Thorlabs has ensured that users can mix and match any of our motion control devices in a single application, while only having to learn a single set of software tools. In this way, it is perfectly feasible to combine any of the controllers from single-axis to multi-axis systems and control all from a single, PC-based unified software interface.

Olympus microscopes are over a century old and have been the top pick of microscopes for doctors, professors, researchers and students.  The Olympus BX series microscope is the industry standard for Pathologists and Mohs surgery centers across the US.  The most popular microscope we sell is the Olympus BX41.  This microscope is absolutely excellent and our top pick for clinical applications.

For a collection of example projects that can be compiled and run to demonstrate the different ways in which developers can build on the Kinesis motion control libraries, click on the links below. Please note that a separate integrated development environment (IDE) (e.g., Microsoft Visual Studio) will be required to execute the Quick Start examples. The C# example projects can be executed using the included .NET controls in the Kinesis software package (see the Kinesis Software tab for details).

The LPXY1 microscopy stage uses stepper motors with open-loop control to provide a compact, durable, and cost-effective scanning stage for microscopy. The stage is constructed without the external motor housings to allow for easy sample access, and uses stepper motors to provide optimal low-speed performance with high positioning stability. With no moving electronics, the LPXY1 stage is designed to ensure maximum lifetime and durability, making the stage a reliable and cost-effective option for routine positioning in microscopy. The stage can also be combined with our Z-Axis Piezo Stage to form an XYZ stage ideally suited for laser scanning microscopy. For applications requiring high-speed, Thorlabs offers High-Speed Motorized XY Scanning Stages, with Item # MLS203-1 having identical microscope compatibility as the LPXY1 scanning stage (see table below).

OlympusBX53

The MJC2 Joystick is compatible with our Stepper Motor Controllers, Benchtop Brushless DC Servo Controllers, and Rack-Mounted Brushless DC Servo Controller. The joystick has both a Mini-DIN and a USB Type-C port and is shipped complete with two cables, a 6-pin Mini-DIN plug to plug cable and a USB 3.1 Type-A to Type-C cable, for use with these controllers as well as setups utilizing the USB HID class. For more information about configuring and setting up the joystick over USB HID, please see the manual by clicking on the red Docs icon () below. If you intend to use the joystick with a legacy BSC10x series unit, please contact Tech Support for a compatible cable.

Specimen Holders and AccessoriesWe offer a range of adapters to allow the positioning of standard microscope slides, multiwell plates, petri dishes, and mounted metallurgical specimens. Please see below for details.

"Very helpful, reliable, and professional personnel. I worked with Chad, he will help you in anyways possible to make sure you get what you need and you are happy with your product. Thanks!"

Thorlabs' Low-Profile Motorized XY Microscopy Stage has been designed as a drop-in replacement for the manual stages found on select Nikon, Olympus, and Cerna® microscopes to provide motorized XY positioning of microscopy samples. A complete stage package consists of the stage itself, a controller, mounting brackets, and optional accessories; all of these items need to be purchased separately. The table below outlines the items that should be purchased to form a stage package compatible with a particular microscope. Alternatively, optional mounting adapters enable a stage to be bolted to an optical table or breadboard as part of a custom-built microscope setup or for use in typical photonics applications.

"Great company! Chad is knowledgeable and easy to work with and they are committed to customer satisfaction. Highly recommended."

The LPXY1 scanning stage is compatible with any of the BSC200 Series Benchtop Stepper Motor Controllers. For controlling two axes, Thorlabs recommends the BSC202 two-channel controller. This controller features Thorlabs' Kinesis® control and programming interface, enabling easy integration into automated microscopy applications. Stepper motors provide better low-speed performance and positioning stability than their DC servo motor counterparts. This controller features USB connectivity, a fully featured Graphical User Interface (GUI) panel, and an extensive software support suite that includes a number of out-of-the-box user utilities, allowing for immediate operation of the unit without any detailed pre-configuration. A fully featured ActiveX® programming environment is also included to facilitate custom application development in a wide range of programming environments, such as LabVIEW, C++, and MATLAB.

The Kinesis Software features .NET controls which can be used by 3rd party developers working in the latest C#, Visual Basic, LabVIEW™, or any .NET compatible languages to create custom applications. Low-level DLL libraries are included for applications not expected to use the .NET framework and APIs are included with each install. A Central Sequence Manager supports integration and synchronization of all Thorlabs motion control hardware.