Opto-digital microscopy from a new perspective

The DSX500i inverted opto-digital microscope provides a truly unique approach to metallurgy imaging, inspection and analysis

Hamburg, May 2012 – Providing a unique approach to the inspection of polished surfaces, the DSX500i microscope is the first inverted microscope to be introduced to the material science market. Forming part of the newly launched DSX family of opto-digital microscopes, the DSX500i is extremely easy to use, with different user modes making it suitable for beginners and experienced users alike. The intuitive touch-screen interface guides the user through each step of image acquisition, optimising conditions automatically. Operators can even choose to operate the system via a mouse if they prefer. As the inverted microscope of the DSX portfolio, the DSX500i combines optical and digital techniques to allow users to obtain highly accurate and reliable metallurgy, inspection and analysis each and every time. This makes it ideal for applications such as grain sizing and metal alloy analysis.

As with any inverted system, users simply drop the sample onto the DSX500i to begin, with the fully motorised microscope providing a wealth of imaging options. These include brightfield, darkfield, differential interference contrast (DIC), polarised observation and a whole new mode – MIX. By combining brightfield and darkfield observation methods, MIX allows the transition from one to the other to be automated so as users can clearly view scratches and dents in a single field of view. By automating the optimisation of image capture conditions, complex manual fine-tuning is removed thus allowing users to provide expert images without the need for any microscopy know-how.

The DSX500i incorporates many of Olympus’s proven features, such as HDR (high dynamic range) and WiDER to eliminate contrast issues and reduce the occurrence of halation or blackouts. Furthermore, the EFI (extended focal imaging) capabilities of the system ensure that uneven sample surface areas are always in-focus. Panoramic images can also be captured with ease – as the operator moves the stage, the image is automatically compiled on-screen in high resolution. The original field is maintained, while specific areas of interest can be investigated in close-up clarity.

Making the most of Olympus’s expertise in optical and digital technology, the dedicated objective lenses (10x and 40x) bring high NA and low magnification widefield observations together to enable efficient observations and measurements. Operators can also use the UIS2 lenses to provide high resolution and contrast. Incorporating three exceptionally high-performance CCD chips, colours are reproduced precisely while ensuring high fidelity and clarity extend across the entire image.

With many applications within metallography, accuracy and repeatability is essential. As a basic step to ensuring reliability of results, any operator can calibrate the system quickly and easily to eliminate scattering. The microscope frame also absorbs any vibration that may impact on quality at high magnifications, eliminating the blur often observed as a result of shaking. In addition, for users looking to perform analysis such as cast iron inspection, grain sizing or non-ferrous metal inclusions, the images can be opened using the OLYMPUS Stream software. This software program can analyse the data in line with internationally recognised industry standards, thus ensuring that the metal is compliant prior to use in manufacture.

Please contact:

OLYMPUS EUROPA HOLDING GMBH
E-mail: microscopy@olympus-europa.com
www.microscopy.olympus.eu

For Olympus in the USA, please contact:
Ilene Semiatin
Edge Communications Inc.
White Plains, NY 10605
1.914.684.0959
Ilene@edge-comm.net