FAQs

Our FAQs aim to help our customers with frequently asked questions about our products and offer all round support. Please browse through these FAQs to find answers for the most commonly raised questions.

Installation questions

Installing a Stage

General instructions:

  1. When installing a stage you should ensure the stage is the correct model for the microscope. You can do this using the configurator and the model number of the stage (found on the label on the underside of the stage).
  2. Remove any previous stage and ensure there is maximum clearance for the stage, i.e., lower (raise) the condenser and if required remove the objectives. Turn the stage so that the “Prior” logo is at the front right (next to your right hand as you hold the stage). Angle the stage slightly away from you and place into position.
    1. For dovetail fixings, you will be require to tighten a screw to fix the stage (some are spring loaded and require pulling back to fit the stage).
    2. For screw fittings, hold the stage in place with one hand while you fix several screws to hold it in position. Ensure you have fitted all the screws before tightening each of them in turn.
    3. Push the stage (if possible) through it’s travel range to ensure no collisions with any microscope fittings. If required use changing limits to change the limits of travel on the stage.

My stage collides with my microscope:

  1. Use the following instructions to change the limits of your stage so that it no longer collides with the microscope. Please report your stage model and microscope make and model and a description of the problem to tech support.

Installing a Filter Wheel

General instructions:

  1. Ensure you have the correct adaptor for the microscope and position on the microscope, you can do this using the configurator. The adaptor part number will be on your dispatch note and on the packaging. Generally there are three positions which the filter wheel could be fitted:
    1. Bright field, the filter wheel will fit between the bright field light source and the sample.
    2. Emission, the filter wheel will fit between the sample and the camera port or/and eye pieces.
    3. Excitation, the filter wheel will fit between the excitation (Hg, Lumen, or other light source) and the microscope.
  2. How do I attach my adaptor to my filter wheel?
    1. The filter wheel is normally installed with the motor pointing away from the microscope. Look at the parts of the adaptor, one will mirror the connection on the microscope (part a), the other will fix to it (part b). You should attach part a to the side of the filter wheel with the motor on it, and part b to the flat side of the filter wheel. In some cases you may need to remove the filter wheel cover to attach the adaptor.
  3. How do I fit my filters?
    1. With your filter wheel there are supplied filter rings and a filter change tool.
    2. Please read filter change which explains how to install filters.

Installing a Shutter

General instructions:

  1. Ensure you have the correct adaptor for the microscope and position on the microscope, you can do this using the configurator. The adaptor part number will be on your dispatch note and on the packaging. Generally there are three positions which the shutter could be fitted:
    1. Bright field, the shutter will fit between the bright field light source and the sample
    2. Emission, the shutter will fit between the sample and the camera port or/and eye pieces.Excitation, the shutter will fit between the excitation (Hg, Lumen, or other light source) and the microscope.
  1. How do I attach my adaptor to my shutter?
    1. The shutter is normally installed with the silver side of the shutter blades pointing towards the light source. Look at the parts of the adaptor, one will mirror the connection on the microscope (part a), the other will fix to it (part b). You should attach part a to the side of the shutter with the black blades and part b to the side of the shutter with the silver blades. In some cases you may need to remove the shutter cover to attach the adaptor.

Installing a Focus Motor

General instructions:

  1. Standard focus motors can be installed onto most microscopes with a coarse and fine focus knob. The focus can be installed on the left or right side of the microscope, (the direction of turn of the motor can be reversed in the controller to compensate, see controller RS232 commands). Place the focus sleeve over the coarse focus, place the focus housing over the sleeve and fix with the grub screws. Push motor into the focus housing and gently push the pad onto the fine focus, fix the motor in position with the screw.

Fitting Instructions

  1. Fitting a standard H122. Focus motor with focus sleeve.
  2. Fitting a H122KON Olympus and Nikon direct couple kit.
  3. Fitting a H122LMZ for Leica MZ series.
  4. Fitting a H122N for Nikon E800.
  5. Fitting a H12215 for Nikon SMZ 1500.
  6. Fitting a H122X200 for Zeiss Axiovert 200.
  7. Fitting a H122AXIE.
  8. Fitting a H122AXIO.
  9. Fitting a H122LB.

If your motor is not in this list please contact tech support.

Installing a Lumen Fluorescence Illumination System

General instructions:

  1. To ensure your Lumen microscope adaptor is set up correctly – please view the Lumen Adaptors information sheet.
  2. To ensure your bulb is installed correctly, there are two different bulb fitting procedures – if you have purchased your unit prior to August 2007 please use this guide. If you have purchased your Lumen after August 2007 please use this guide.
  3. Ensure your Lumen 200 is installed with adequate airflow around it.
  4. Connecting my LumenPro 200.
    1. You can connect the Lumen 200PRO connections to the Filter 1, Filter 2 and 4th Axis (ProScan II/PCI II only).
    2. The variable aperture shutter can either be controlled via the Lumen 200PRO commands or as a 10 position filter wheel.
    3. Changing LumenPro 200 Filters.

Installing a NanoScanZ Piezo Z Stage

General instructions:

  1. To install into Prior Stages:
    1. Place the NanoScanZ stage into the Prior Stage sample holder insert hole. (In some cases you may need to rotate the NanoScanZ stage by 180 degrees), screw the stage firmly to the Prior Stage with the provided screws.
    2. Insert and screw in the sample holder.
    3. Plug the NanoScanZ stage into the NanoScanZ controller.
    4. Connect the controller to the computer, RS232, USB or 0-10V input.
    5. Your system is now ready to use.
  2. To install into a Olympus or Nikon inverted microscope manual stage
    (only certain manual stages).

    1. Screw the H489 supplied adaptor plate with the 4 screws provided to the Manual stage with the screws provided.
    2. Insert the NanoScanZ stage and firmly affix with screws provided.
    3. Insert and screw in the sample holder.
    4. Plug the NanoScanZ stage in to the NanoScanZ controller.
    5. Connect the controller to the computer, RS232, USB or 0-10V input.
    6. Your system is ready to use.

Attaching my NanoScanZ to a 0-10V DAQ card.

  1. The NanoScanZ system can be controlled via a 0-10V DAQ card.
    1. Switch off the system, connect the BNC connector from the DAQ (0-10V) board to “input”. Set the output of the DAQ (0-10V) board to 0V. Switch on the NanoScanZ, the display now shows the output of the DAQ (0-10V) board. Changing the voltage output will move the NanoScanZ stage.0-10 Voltage 100um
      NanoScanZ Position (um) 200um
      NanoScanZ Position (um) 500um
      NanoScanZ Position (um)

      0 0 0 0
      1 10 20 50
      5 50 100 250
      10 100 200 500

Installing a Controller

Consult the manual before attempting to install a controller. Ensure that the power supply to the controller AND the accessories is switched off before you attempt to connect them.

Installing a Sample Holder – Do I need to use the plastic screws that come with my sample holder?

The plastic screws help ensure that your sample holder is held firmly in the stage. They also guarantee that your sample moves the proper amount and is registered properly with the stage when performing sensitive experiments. The screws should not be over-tightened; but loosely threaded into the holes. The nylon material also allows for tilting of the holder when the levelling screws are adjusted.

Purchasing questions

Can I use the Lumen with Cy5.5?

Yes, the Lumen 220 model is now available for Cy5.5.

Is the Lumen compatible with Cy5 and DAPI?

Yes, The standard Lumen 200 wavelength range is sufficient to cover both CY5 and DAPI.

Are custom light sources available?

Yes, We offer a service for larger quantities of light sources where we will design light sources for the purposes of our customers. Please see the OEM section of the website for more information on this, or contact tech support.

Do I need a NanoScanZ Piezo Z stage system?

The NanoScanZ is a high accuracy focus system designed for high speed fusion (z-stacking) techniques. The NanoScanZ system has up to 1nm resolution and can complete a move in 10 microseconds. Standard focus motors (with and without encoders) are capable of providing Z-stacking up to 0.5um thicknesses with good accuracy, but are somewhat slower than the NanoScanZ.

Why do we suggest an encoded focus for all Zeiss instruments?

An encoded focus is required if the microscope which is being used has a focus mechanism which is not directly connected to the fine focus system, e.g., most Zeiss models. In this case a Z-encoder is recommended to provide a reliable Z-position.

When do I need an encoded focus?

An encoded focus is required if the microscope which is being used has a focus mechanism which is not directly connected to the fine focus system, e.g., most Zeiss models. In this case a Z-encoder is recommended to provide a reliable Z-position.

An encoded focus is required for lengthy time lapse experiments where the microscope focus can drift with temperature over time.

Should I get a 1mm or 2mm ball screw?

1mm ball screws provide a smaller step size which provides a smoother movement, however this slows the overall movement of the stage down by half. If your requirement is for speed use a 2 or 5mm ball screw, if you require smooth and slower movement choose the 1mm ball screw.

Should I get 400 step or 200 step motors for my inverted stage?

400 step motors should be coupled with a 1mm ball screw to provide an extremely accurate and smooth (under high magnification) stage movement. High precision encoders are also a good option to further improve this type of stage.

200 step motors are best coupled with 2mm ball screws to provide a greater movement speed where the accuracy required is sufficient with the ProScan™III standard stage.

Does Prior offer custom controllers?

Yes, Prior offers a service designing controllers in both small and large quantities. Please see the OEM section of the website for more information, or contact tech support.

Does Prior manufacture custom or OEM stages?

Yes, we offer a service for larger quantities of stages where we will design stages for the purposes of our customers. Please see the OEM section of the website for more information on this, or contact tech support.

Are custom sample holders available?

Yes, we have an extensive range of sample holders most of which are not displayed on the Price list or on this website.

If you have a request please contact tech support and supply details of what you would like to hold and what instrument (and Prior stage) you are using.