This section provides an overview for measuring microscopes as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 25 measuring microscope manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked measuring microscope companies as of November, 2024: 1.Deltapix, 2.OEG GmbH, 3.Gagemaker.
Table of Contents
A measuring microscope is a dimensional measuring instrument that measures dimensions from images magnified by a microscope.
A measuring microscope is a combination of an optical microscope magnified at precise magnification. It also serves as template for comparative measurement, and an XY stage for precise movement of the workpiece on a plane. Measuring microscopes enable non-contact measurement, allows observation of contours and surfaces without damaging the workpiece.
Measuring microscopes generally use telecentric optics in their optical system. In recent years, there are specifications that employ an infinity-corrected optical system in the optical head to enable differential interference observation and simple polarized light observation.
Measuring microscopes are used for production and quality control of relatively small mechanical parts, electronic device parts, and semiconductor products. These measuring microscopes are suitable for the measurement of small parts and fine areas that are difficult to measure without microscope magnification.
In addition to dimensional measurement, the microscope can also be used for observation using polarized light and differential interference, for example, to detect flaws in semiconductor substrates. Due to the accuracy of its magnification, it is also useful for simple inspections to determine if a product is within tolerance by performing comparative measurements using a template.
Measuring microscopes can be used as both a measuring instrument and a microscope. Meanwhile, a single unit of measuring microscope can be used for a variety of purposes.
Measuring microscopes can be classified according to the illumination method.
Transillumination is used for dimensional measurement by transmitting light and capturing the shadow of an object as a contour shape. It is used to measure contours.
Vertically reflected illumination shines light perpendicular to the surface of an object and observes the surface through the reflected light. Vertical reflected illumination can be used not only for dimensional measurement but also for observation of surface shape.
Oblique reflection illumination is an illumination method that illuminates light at an angle to the surface of the object to be measured. The feature of this method is that the contrast of the image is emphasized, resulting in a three-dimensional and sharp image. However, it is more likely to cause errors in dimensional measurement.
Most measuring microscopes use telecentric optics for transillumination. Microscopes that do not use telecentric optics will make objects close at hand appear larger and objects farther away appear smaller.
This phenomenon is the same with cameras that we use in our daily lives. However, in dimensional measurement, this characteristic results in distant objects being measured smaller in relation to different parts in the height direction.
With a lens using telecentric optics, the image is blurred, but the size remains the same, even if the focus is shifted in the direction of the distance to the lens and the optical axis. Telecentric optics are indispensable for measuring microscopes, where dimensions are measured while observing with the microscope.
Measuring microscopes are used to measure by placing the object to be measured on the XY stage. Therefore, the measurement point can be anywhere within the operating range of the XY stage. In other words, no matter where the object to be measured is located on the XY stage, the XY stage can be moved to the measurement point.
Some angles or circle diameters to be measured may require a large movement of the XY stage, but the contour of the measurement object is never placed parallel to the movement of the XY stage without special adjustment. Therefore, it is necessary to make the movement of the XY stage and the reference edge of the measurement object parallel before measurement.
If the measurement object and the XY stage are not parallelized, large errors will occur when measuring angles and parallelism. Therefore, calculations are required to compensate for the measurement results. In recent years, manufacturers have a lineup of measurement devices that create a coordinate system on the XY stage and calculate from the coordinates of the origin and measurement points. By using these devices, the man-hours required for parallelization can be reduced.
While it is important for a microscope to be able to observe an object under large magnification, it is also important to be able to obtain a wide field of view at a time. The field of view is the area that can be observed at one time using a microscope. The field of view is determined by the diameter of the eyepiece.
The size of the field of view is called the number of fields of view, and the actual field of view represents how much of the surface of the object being measured is visible within the field of view.
The relationship between the actual field of view and lens magnification is as follows:
Actual field of view = Number of fields of view of eyepiece / Magnification of objective lens
As can be seen from the above formula, if the number of fields of view of the eyepiece is the same, the range of the actual field of view becomes narrower as the magnification of the objective lens becomes larger. This indicates that there is a trade-off between increasing the magnification of the objective lens to magnify the object to be measured and the range that can be viewed at one time.
To increase the actual field of view, the diameter of the eyepiece must be increased or the magnification of the objective lens must be decreased. However, there is a limit to reducing the objective lens magnification because of the magnification required for measurement. For this reason, measuring microscopes are equipped with an XY stage and a counter that displays the amount of movement, as well as other devices to measure areas that do not fit into the field of view.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Gagemaker is a manufacturer of industrial-grade measurement devices and inspection equipment that was established in Pasadena, Texas, USA, in 1979. The company primarily produces taper gages, thread height gages, and lead gages for large-diameter measurement or API thread inspection. It also offers indicators, cases, and calibration equipment for its portfolio products. The company is ISO 9001-certified, and provides custom design, part measurement, and inspection services to its clients. It chiefly serves the oil and gas, mining, and machine shop industries.
Titan Tool Supply was founded in 1952 and operates out of Buffalo, New York. Titan Tool Supply is a supplier of optical instrumentation for research & development, quality control, and other professional industries. Titan Tool Supply’s product lines include borescopes, microscopes, illumination devices, and micro finishing. Titan Tool Supply also offers video systems and magnetics solutions. Titan Tool Supply offers customers a 10-day approval program that allows customers to trial products in their workplace to verify satisfaction before purchase.
Humboldt Mfg. Co., founded in 1909 with headquarters in the USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of testing equipment used for evaluating construction and civil engineering materials. The company's products include hand-held thermometers, augers used for soil sampling, a CBR field test set designed for making relative strength determinations in the field, dynamic cone penetrometers for determining the in-situ CBR values of pavement base, as well as soil probe rods. Humboldt Mfg. Co.'s equipment is sold worldwide and used for testing soil, concrete, cement, asphalt, and aggregate materials in construction projects that include roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, and airports.
Lambert Instruments BV, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Groningen, Netherlands, is a manufacturer of advanced imaging solutions. The company offers a diverse product catalog, including fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, intensified high-speed imaging, and complete high-speed recording solutions. These tools are used for measuring fluorescence resonance energy transfer, ion imaging, oxygen imaging, probing microenvironments, and medical diagnosis. Additionally, these tools find applications in medical research projects such as automated lifetime-based screening and characterization of fluorescent proteins, as well as revealing the infrastructure of cancer cells.
Haida International Equipment was founded in 2004 as a manufacturer and supplier of Testing Equipment in China. The company deals in various precision testing instruments, machines, and services such as Batteries, Furniture, Textiles, Leather and Shoes, and Rubber and Plastic test equipment. There is also Adhesive tape, Cookware, Luggage, Optical, and Vibration test equipment along with Accelerated Environment Test Chamber (AES) that executes QC inspection on electronic appliances, paper products, metals, research institutes, and lots more. The other testing machines cater to industrial and mining enterprises, colleges and universities, engineering quality supervision stations, and other departments.
ERICHSEN GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 1910 and is based in Hemer, Germany is a manufacturer of measuring and testing devices for sheet metal, paints and similar coatings. The company research, develop, design and manufacture testing equipment and machines for the following fields of application: Sheet Metal Testing, Surface Testing, Corrosion Testing, and Materials Testing. To round off the company’s product range and as a system provider, they have electromagnetic coating thickness gauges, abrasion testers, printing ink testers, adhesive testers and color dispersing devices in our product range.
Fison Instruments Ltd. is a manufacturer and supplier of laboratory equipment and scientific instruments, headquartered in Glasgow, UK. The company's products range encompasses balances, centrifuges, incubators, ovens, pipettes, and glassware. These instruments are used for conducting various experiments, tests, measurements, and analyses in different fields such as life science, biotechnology, pharmaceauticals, and chemical industries. Pharmacy refrigerators, magnetic stirrer, and other products are also offered. The company ensures product authenticity and strict surveillance to uphold good manufacturing and laboratory practices.
OEG GmbH, established in 1991 and headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, is a manufacturer of optical measuring instruments based on image processing for industrial and research applications. The company's range of products includes SURFTENS WH 300 for semiconductor technology, the OTS 500 Optics Test Station for measuring EFL, BFL, and Radius, optics test equipment for beverage can manufacturing and wire measurement, meters for contact angle and surface tension in semiconductor technology, and measuring microscopes with image processing capabilities for flatness, bow, warp, curvature, and glass thickness measurements.
Vision Engineering Ltd, founded in 1958, is a British manufacturer based in Woking, Surrey, specializing in stereo inspection microscopes and non-contact measuring systems. The company's product range encompasses various microscopes, including digital, stereo, and eyepiece-less stereo models. It also offers 3D digital inspection devices integrated with deep reality viewer (DRV) technology, enabling immersive 3D imaging experiences. Additionally, the company provides non-contact measuring systems, spanning from toolmakers' measuring microscopes to fully-automated computerized numerical control (CNC) video measuring systems. Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and bench magnifiers are also available. These products find applications in various industries, such as biomedical, electronics, and medical devices.
Holmarc Opto-Mechatronics Ltd. is an Indian manufacturer established in 1999, specializing in precision optical and mechatronics products. They design solutions for research, education, and industry, offering optical components, lasers, as well as precision positioning systems. Holmarc serves a global clientele in physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and material science, empowering scientists and engineers with advanced technologies. Their solutions aid scientific research and educational advancements, remaining at the forefront of progress and excellence.
DeltaPix, located in Smoerum, Denmark, is a manufacturer and developer that has been serving the digital microscopy industry since 2001. The company specializes in crafting and marketing digital imaging solutions for various industrial, forensic, and biomedical microscopy applications. Its product range includes digital microscopes, microscope cameras, microscope software, microscope automation, and microscope ergonomics accessories. These tools find application across diverse industries for purposes such as measurements, surface analysis, quality inspection, and research. All cameras are crafted to scientific standards, featuring meticulous attention to detail, assembly in dust-free environments, quality IR filters, and a low-temperature design.
NIKON CORPORATION was founded in Japan in 1917 and is a global manufacturer of imaging products, optics, precision equipment, and instruments. The company's main product offerings include the Nikon Z series of mirrorless cameras, digital SLR cameras, and COOLPIX. It also offers consumer and professional accessories such as NIKKOR brand optics, Speedlights, system accessories, and software products, along with premium sports and recreational optical products, including full-line binoculars, Fieldscopes, and rangefinders. The company complies with international standards such as ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018, catering to industries such as photography and videography, healthcare, manufacturing, and research.
Wise Device Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of microscopy automation products that was established in 2003 in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. The company specializes in products for scientific and imaging applications, including high-speed autofocus (ATF) sensors, infrared imaging systems, and precision focus automation (PTF) sensors. It also offers modular microscopy system (MMS) parts, such as illuminators and Z-axis actuators. The company’s products are commonly used in life sciences, photonics, and machine vision.
Foundrax Engineering Products Ltd. is an UKAS-certified manufacturer of testing machines and equipment for Brinell hardness that was established in London, England, United Kingdom, in 1948. The company produces Brinell hardness testing equipment such as reference blocks and indenters, as well as hardness testing machines such as portable and automatic models. It also offers calibration, maintenance, and repair services for customers requiring additional assistance. The company’s products are used mainly by clients in the rail, metalworking, and mining industries.
Mahr Inc., founded in 1861 and located in Rhode Island, United States, is a supplier of production metrology, rotary stroke bearings, gear metering pumps, and meter mix dispense technology. The company offers a range of products, including handheld gages, stereo-zoom microscopes, planetary spinning pumps, spin finish metering pumps, and the N500 ball cage, that cater to various industries including automotive, aerospace, medical, and energy. Mahr Inc.'s metrology systems include coordinate measuring machines, optical measuring machines, contour measuring machines, and gear measurement systems to meet the stringent requirements of industries.
Elcometer Limited, established in 1947, has a global network of facilities and is a manufacturer in the UK and the USA of inspection equipment for the coatings, concrete, and NDT industries. The company's core portfolio of products covers four divisions: Blast, spray, coating inspections, and NDT equipment. Example products include industrial and commercial spray equipment used for protective coatings to meet OEM requirements, bodyshop spray equipment, and components used primarily to provide repair and customized work to the interior and body of passenger cars, trucks, vans, and trailers by their clients, including commercial, industrial, and OEMs.
Radical Company is an enterprise engaged in the manufacturer and distributor of modern audiovisual technologies and was founded in 2011 based in Pennsylvania, United States. The primary emphasis of their work centers around the development of state-of-the-art projection systems, interactive displays, and immersive audio technologies. The company is in the forefront of pioneering breakthroughs in the audiovisual (AV) sector. Their diverse range of solutions encompasses both large-scale event installations and tailored home entertainment setups, consistently pushing the frontiers of sensory experiences on a global scale.
NINGBO HINOTEK INSTRUMENT CO., LTD, established in 2002 and headquartered in Ningbo, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of laboratory equipment. The company’s comprehensive product range encompasses fume hoods, incubators, ovens, centrifuges, and pH meters, serving a diverse clientele across educational institutions, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and chemical industries. It offers an array of services including engineering and design, testing and certification, supply chain management, and technical support, aligning with its unwavering emphasis on customer satisfaction. The company also holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, underscoring its passion for maintaining exemplary quality standards.
Meiji Techno Co., Ltd. (MTC) is a Japanese manufacturer and distributor of optical microscopes originally established in 1964 as Azuma Optics Company before rebranding in 1975. Based in Saitama, the company produces various microscopes for applications in education and life sciences, including inverted, compound, stereo, and polarizing models. These are utilized by clients in laboratory operations and quality control, analysis, and testing within the industrial sector. MTC has manufacturing facilities in Japan and China, with distribution operations in Shanghai, California, and New Jersey. Its North American subsidiary Meiji Techno America was incorporated in 1986, and is located in San Jose.
Polytec, Inc., located in Irvine, California, is a laser product distributor and manufacturer of optical measurement technology solutions for research and industry since 1967. Their top technological fields include vibrometry, velocimetry, 3D surface metrology, process analytics, image processing, and optical systems. They offer products such as 3D scanning vibrometers for generating a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic behavior of products and designs in R&D. They also provide solutions for investigating noise and acoustics. Polytec has held ISO certification since 1994 and is also certified under the DIN EN ISO 9001 standard.
Unitron Ltd. is an ISO 13485-certified manufacturer of imaging systems and microscopes that was established in 1952 in Commack, New York, USA. The company offers digital imaging products for microscopy such as microscope cameras and monitors, as well as compound and stereo microscope models. It is the North American distributor of Luxo Contract Lighting products, and stocks various LED lights including ring, spot, and fiber optic models. The company chiefly serves its clients in the medical, laboratory, and consumer electronics industries.
Evident Corporation is a scientific research and development company in Shinjuku, Tokyo that was established in 2008. Formerly known as Olympus Scientific Solutions, the company specializes in developing cutting-edge technology and products for various industries, including aerospace, automotive, electronics, energy, and medical research. Evident Corporation has proliferated and expanded its product offerings and services to meet the needs of its customers. Their product offerings include non-destructive testing (NDT) solutions such as thickness gauges and automated inspection systems, XRF analyzers like handheld XRF analyzers, industrial microscopes, and video scopes and borescopes.
Zygo Corporation, founded in 1970 and headquartered in Middlefield, Connecticut, is a manufacturer of optical metrology systems and optical components and assemblies. The company manufactures products in several categories, including laser interferometers, 3D optical profilers, and optical components. It serves several industries, including medical, automotive, and consumer electronics, and also provides customizable metrology software to help customers measure. The company holds 750 patents, and in 2014, it became part of the Ultra Precision Technologies division of AMETEK Inc. It is ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified and sells its products under brand names such as Navitar, Special Optics, and Pixelink.
FTI Flow Technology, Inc., founded in 1963 and based in Tempe, Arizona, is a manufacterer of metering solutions. The company provides a diverse range of products, including magnetic flow meters, turbine flow meters, and ultrasonic flow meters whcih are widely utilized in mission-critical applications, particularly within the aerospace, military, and oil and gas markets. The company is registered with ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100C standards. Additionally, it holds accreditation from VLAP to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for flow calibration services.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Deltapix |
11.0%
|
2 | OEG GmbH |
6.8%
|
3 | Gagemaker |
6.8%
|
4 | Radical |
6.8%
|
5 | Lambert Instruments BV |
5.5%
|
6 | Humboldt Mfg. Co. |
5.5%
|
7 | Holmarc Opto-Mechatronics Ltd. |
5.5%
|
8 | Evident |
5.5%
|
9 | Vision Engineering Ltd |
5.5%
|
10 | WDI WISE DEVICE INC. |
4.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the measuring microscope page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 3 | 18.8% |
Japan | 3 | 18.8% |
China | 2 | 12.5% |
Germany | 2 | 12.5% |
United Kingdom | 2 | 12.5% |
India | 2 | 12.5% |
Austria | 1 | 6.3% |
Denmark | 1 | 6.3% |