Microscope Focus Mechanisms

Fast and reliable focusing is essential for automated imaging systems, whether to increase throughput, enable automatic focusing, or rapidly generate volumetric images.

Our motorized focus drives offer excellent precision, speed and repeatability to provide a complete focusing solution for life science and industrial applications. From our easy-to-install bolt-on focus drive to our market-leading piezo devices, almost any application can be catered for.

We offer focusing solutions for both upright and inverted microscopes. They are simple to operate and we’ve designed them for easy integration into existing imaging systems including compatibility with most imaging software packages and brands of microscopes.

The motorized focus mechanisms can be controlled using Prior’s ProScan^® or OptiScan^® controllers either as standalone products or in combination with our other imaging components, such as our XY stages. 

We have a wide range of options for all major brands of microscope, including Leica, Zeiss, Olympus and Nikon. For automating a Nikon or an Olympus microscope see our automation guides: 

Nikon Automation Guide 

Evident/Olympus Automation Guide 

Or contact us to discuss your specific brand or model of microscope. 

Piezo focusing devices

Queensgate, a brand of Prior, was the pioneer for piezo-based technology. Our NanoScan range of piezo-driven stages and objective positioners offer the fastest step and settle times together with high-accuracy and nanometer resolution. They are compatible with most microscopes and objective lenses, including the Prior OpenStand system. Friction-free flexures are designed to provide high stiffness and to minimize off-axis motions giving high repeatability and faster cycle times. Capacitive positioning sensors allow for sub-nanometer positioning resolution and repeatability.

OEM and Customization Service

We offer a full customization and consultation service for our OEM customers. We partner with you to quickly prototype, test and bring new imaging instrumentation to market. Learn more.