Biological Sample Holders

• Slide holders

• Petri dish holders

• Coverslip holders

• Multiwell plate holders

Objective Lens Extender Tubes

The position of the microscope objective lens relative to the sample is quite important. Adding a nanopositioning stage to an existing microscope may raise the sample location if a re-entrant sample holder is not used (see Accessories pages). In some situations it may be preferable to raise the objective lens to match the new sample location. Mad City Labs offers standard lens extender tubes with both RMS (Olympus, Zeiss, Leica) and M25-0.75 (Nikon) threads. Extender tubes are available in 0.25 in. and 0.5 in. lengths.

Nano-Drive® and Micro-Drive™ Rack Mount Kits

Nano-Drive® and Micro-Drive™ controllers can be mounted into standard equipment racks by attaching optional rack mount kits. All Mad City Labs controllers fit into the industry standard “2U” height (3.47 inches). Multiaxis Nano-Drive®controllers and the Micro-Drive™ controllers are the full rack width and can be mounted with narrow brackets. Single axis Nano-Drive® controllers are one half rack width and use extended mounting brackets. Rack mount kits are optional accessories that can be ordered with complete systems or purchased separately by contacting Mad City Labs.

Gamepad Nanopositioner Control

NanoControl, a new LabVIEW program written by Mad City Labs, provides manual motion control of multi-axis nanopositioning stages using a Logitech wireless gamepad. Gamepad joysticks and buttons are user configurable and can be setup to suit the nanopositioning application. The nanopositioner’s rate of acceleration is easily set with an on-screen control knob. Onscreen position readouts show the stage location in every axis of motion. Communication with the Nano-Drive® controller takes place over its USB interface. NanoControl is an executable LabVIEW program that operates on any Windows based PC and is available at no charge with every USB enabled nanopositioning system.

Gamepad MicroStage Control

The new LabVIEW program, MicroControl, provides manual motion control of Mad City Labs’ motorized MicroStage by use of a Logitech wireless gamepad. Gamepad joysticks and buttons are user configurable and can be chosen to suit the specific application. An on-screen control panel shows the stage position as measured by the MicroStage high resolution linear encoders. Stage speed of motion can also be easily set with the MicroControl displayed parameters. For precise displacements, specific stage motions can also be input numerically - bypassing the joystick controller. MicroControl source code is provided for experienced LabVIEW programmers who may wish to modify the vi code. MicroControl is also provided as an executable program for users who do not own LabVIEW. MicroControl is compatible with all Windows based PC’s and is available at no charge for all USB enabled MicroStage systems.