Automated Macro Focus Stacking Setup

It doesn't look much but it took probably a year or so to put this together after a lot of looking at other people's set-ups and lurking on ebay for the right parts. Each element was a bit of a project in itself. It does still need a y axis which will be a linear stage mounted on top of the Zeiss stage, but I've found so far I can get along without it just by nudging the subject left and right as required. The stepper motor controls the fine focus on the microscope block and the 1:2 gearing makes it surprisingly accurate, down to repeatable 1 micron steps. The butcher's block it's all mounted to normally sits on a thick sheet of polystyrene to help isolate vibrations.

 

1. M42 bellows modified for arca swiss rail

2. Aluminium adaptor

3. Stepper motor, 200 steps/ revolution

4. Timing gears and belt, 1:2

5. Nikon focus block

6. Stacking controller junction box (www.flickr.com/photos/reallysmall/5877378677/in/photostream/)

7. Pentax AF200T manual flash x 2

8. Zeiss focus block subject stage, magnetic base

9. Magnetic dial test holder

10. Mild steel sheet

Done