OPERATION
Auto Focus equipment Auto Focus in "On" and "Once" status Carl Zeiss
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4.5 Auto Focus in "On" and "Once" status
If the Auto Focus is operated in On status, the Working status message will appear on the TFT display of
the microscope and on the controller. This shows continuous operation of the Auto Focus.
If a further period is entered in the Auto Focus options, Auto Focus will be operated continuously at set
intervals (e.g. every 5 seconds). This is displayed as the Working 'xx' s status message on the TFT display
of the microscope and on the controller.
In addition to continuous / periodical operation, Auto Focus can also be operated one single time by
using the Once option to find the focal plane. First the Working status message appears on the TFT
display of the microscope and on the controller, followed by Success – Standby once the focus has been
found.
It is also possible to change the period of the Auto Focus during the Working phase.
Auto Focus uses an LED with a wavelength of 850 nm. The LED is only active when the Auto Focus is
actually working (Working status). The LED is turned off within a period (Working 'xx' s status) or in
Standby status.
A Z-offset can be set manually in the On status, using the focus wheel, the TFT Display or the imaging
software (AxioVision 4.9.1 or later). The Auto Focus operation is interrupted for the time during which
the focus wheel is turned, and turned back on once the focus wheel is released and a waiting time of
approx. 1.5 s has elapsed.
If the offset is outside the so-called primary capture range, a mode is activated in which the Z drive of the
stand tracks permanently back and forth between the two positions. When the Z offset position has been
reached, a signal will be sent to the software, thereby allowing e.g. an image to be captured.
If the objective is changed, the Auto Focus remains active in On status, merely interrupting its activity for
the duration of the change. If the offset defined before the change of the objectives is too large for the
now active objective (more than half working distance towards objective), the Auto Focus is deactivated.
4.6 Auto Focus in "Standby" status
If no work has been carried out by the Auto Focus after the Axio Imager has been switched on, the
system is in Standby status. The Standby status message is shown on the TFT display of the microscope
and on the controller.