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Focus Block and Accessories![]()
MP1214 Focus Block Stand with Damped Post MGZ30 Microscope Focus Block Application Idea The MGZ30 Focus Block and MP1214 Stand can support a home-built epi-fluorescence imaging system. See the Application tab for details. Related Items ![]() Please Wait
Features
This page features a Post-Mountable Focus Block and a Focus Block Stand to support home-built imaging systems that use our wide selection of optical and mechanical components. Thorlabs' post-mountable focus block provides 30 mm of travel along the Z-axis of an optical system via fine and coarse adjustment knobs and includes a built-in five-objective turret. To stabilize images against vibrations, Thorlabs has developed a focus block stand that consists of an extra-thick breadboard and a dynamically damped post that together reduce the amplitude and duration of vibrations applied to the stand. When combined with Thorlabs' family of objectives, thread adapters, and cameras, the parts listed here can be used as the basis for a flexible, reliable, and easy-to-use imaging solution for the most demanding applications. Alternatively, for users interested in modular microscopes, Thorlabs has developed the DIY Cerna® Microscopy Platform. The system includes pre-configured components for widefield viewing, epi-illumination, and transmitted light imaging in addition to providing compatibility with Thorlabs' standard SM thread and cage system interfaces. Home-Built Epi-Fluorescence MicroscopeThorlabs' MGZ30 Focus Block and MP1214 Stand can be used to construct and support a simple epi-fluorescence microscope. The DFM1 filter cube with a user-selected filter set is used to couple illumination from a liquid light guide (LLG) into the objective. An MP100-RCH2 100 mm tall rigid stand is used to support the sample. Sample viewing is accomplished using a C-mount camera, in this case the 1501M-USB scientific-grade camera. Alternatively, one of our other CCD or CMOS cameras can also be used. The camera is connected to the setup via an SM1ZM rotation mount in order to provide some focusing adjustment. This simple microscope can be easily modified by using other light sources, cameras, objectives, and sample holders. A list of components is provided in the table below.
![]() ![]() Click for Details Dovetail Adapter ![]() Click to Enlarge Five-Objective Turret ![]() Click to Enlarge Adjustment Knobs
The MGZ30 Post-Mountable Focus Block positions an objective along the Z-axis of a home-built imaging system. It features 30 mm of travel with fine and coarse adjustment knobs (pictured to the right), and is designed to be mounted on our series of Ø1.5" posts. Please note that posts and bases are not included with this package; one option is the MP1214 Focus Block Stand, shown below. The focus block includes a built-in five-objective turret with M26 x 36 TPI (M26 x 0.706) threading, pictured to the right. In order to allow direct mounting of RMS-threaded objectives, the focus block ships with five RMSA7 adapters. A selection of adapters for the commonly used M25 x 0.75 and SM1 (1.035"-40) threads is shown below, but Thorlabs manufactures many other adapters as well. The MGZ30 package includes a dovetail adapter (pictured to the upper right) that is located above the lens turret and enables direct integration of 30 mm cage systems, SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) components, and SM2-threaded (2.035"-40) components. ![]()
The MP1214 Focus Block Stand consists of a 3/4" thick breadboard and a Ø1.5" Dynamically Damped Post. The 12" x 14" breadboard is 50% thicker than our standard breadboards, includes side grips for portability, and has a 1/4"-20 tapped mounting hole pattern designed to accommodate Thorlabs' microscopy stages for positioning samples. This assembly provides stable mounting and reduces vibrations that degrade the image quality. An MGZ30 Focus Block can be mounted anywhere along the 14" long DP14A post. The DP14A post is also available for purchase separately for users who already have breadboards. ![]()
These thread adapters convert the M26 x 36 TPI (M26 x 0.706) thread on the MGZ30 Post-Mountable Focus Blocks shown above to several common threads used in objective lenses. Thorlabs' complete selection of thread adapters allows interconversion between these threads and nearly every other standard. ![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge RMSCP2 Protecting Turret Ports of an Inverted Microscope ![]() Click to Enlarge RMSCP1 Covering an Objective
These RMS-Threaded Caps are designed to protect microscope objectives, objective lens turret ports, and other RMS (0.800"-36) threaded components. The RMSCP1 has internal RMS threading, making them compatible with standard RMS-threaded microscope objective lenses. The RMSCP2 has external RMS threading to cover unused objective lens ports (see image on the far right). Each of these caps is made from anodized aluminum and has a knurled edge for secure hand tightening. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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