In this presentation, we review two specific situations that benefit most from a measuring microscope. In addition, we review how key features of a measuring microscope can add more capabilities to these applications. The first situation is one requiring high-accuracy measurements. The second is one that requires accurate measurements across larger distances. With features including sub-micron precision, simple operation, and customization options, there are many ways to further enhance the performance of a measuring microscope. For more information about Olympus measuring microscopes, visit: http://www.olympus-ims.com/en/metrology/stm/

1. When to Use a
Measuring Microscope:
And How to Further Enhance
its Capabilities

2. “Why should someone use a measuring microscope?
There are two specific situations that quickly come to mind
that call for a measuring microscope. First is the need for
high-accuracy measurements. Second is the need for high-
accuracy measurements across large distances beyond the
field of view of a traditional microscope.”
Marc Silverstein
Product Manager, Olympus Corporation of the Americas, Scientific Solutions Group

3. High-Accuracy Measurements
First is the need for very quick high-accuracy
measurements. With a measuring microscope,
this is accomplished when the operator simply
places their sample on the stage and locates the
starting point of the feature they wish to measure.
They zero-out the counter and then move across
the feature to the end point. The display instantly
shows the distance traveled.

4. High-Accuracy Measurements
Across Large Distances
Second is the need for high-accuracy
measurements across large distances beyond
the field of view of a traditional microscope.
Measuring microscopes are designed to be
accurate to within microns even when measuring
features up to 300mm (roughly 12 inches)
in the X and Y axis and as high as 175mm
(roughly 7 inches) in height.

5. Ways to Further Improve
Measuring Microscope Performance
Laser Auto Focus: Laser auto focus can be added
to a measuring microscope with a motorized Z axis.
This combination leads to a system with increased
accuracy and repeatability by eliminating
the subjectivity of each operator’s perception
of when the feature is in focus.

6. Ways to Further Improve
Measuring Microscope Performance
Measurement Support Software: Without support
software a measuring microscope provides coordinates
of each point measured and leaves all the calculations up
to the operator. With something as simple as a circle,
getting the diameter can be tricky; you would have to
measure the circle exactly in the middle to measure across.
With the right software, any three points on the circle can
be captured and the diameter is instantly calculated.
The list of possible measurements is extensive, and the
capabilities of these types of measurements will continue
to grow as new software is developed.

7. Ways to Further Improve
Measuring Microscope Performance
Testing Routines: Support software also offers the
ability to create testing routines. When an item is being
mass-produced and samples need to be pulled for quality
checks, isn’t it helpful when the software guides you
through the test? Software can navigate the operator to
each measuring point and then check the results of each
measurement against design value and a tolerance factor.
Software can also provide a simple pass/fail with something
as uncomplicated as color-coding the results or exporting
your data to your own plant management system.

8. The Possibilities of
Today’s Measuring Microscopes
Today’s newest measuring microscopes offer excellent versatility
and high-performance measurement with sub-micron results.
Whether samples are small or large, simple or complex—
and whether measurements
are being taken by a novice
or an expert—the features
offered by these microscopes
can be tailored to fit your needs.
If we look at the STM7
measuring microscope from
Olympus (Fig. 1), for example,
we see that it has been
modernized with advanced
microscope features.
Figure 1: The Olympus STM7 measuring microscope
(shown with STM7-BSW measurement support software).

9. Both Low- and High-Magnification Observation
Many conventional measuring microscopes
only accept a measuring objective or
metallurgical objective, and therefore are
unable to meet the requirements for a wide
variety of observations. The STM7, however,
accepts both a metallurgical objective and a
measuring objective by exchanging a revolving
nosepiece with a measuring objective adapter.
This means that both metallurgical optics
and measuring optics are combined in one
microscope. The STM7 (Fig. 2) is able to satisfy
a range of needs, whether measuring a wide
area or a tiny region, measuring the size
of differences between features, or assisting the
user in deciding their best observation method.
Figure 2: STM7 with STM7-BSW software interface.

10. Both Manual and Motorized Focus Options
With focus control available with either manual or motorized operation, the STM7 series
allows users to choose the microscope model that best addresses their needs in terms
of samples and measurement content, regardless of stage size. Manual Z-axis focus models
offer familiar handle operation for rapid vertical movement, convenient for users who need
to measure samples with variety of heights (Fig. 3). Motorized Z-axis focus models deliver
improved operability and reduce handling fatigue when focusing or taking height
measurements (Fig. 4).
Figure 3: Manual Z-axis focus. Figure 4: Motorized Z-axis focus.

11. Detachable Digital Readout (DRO)
To enable swift, convenient checking of
measurement results and equipment status,
the STM7 offers a detachable digital readout
(DRO) that can be positioned either attached
the microscope frame (Fig. 5) or placed on
a desktop (Fig. 6) in whatever area is most
convenient to the user. The DRO indicator
displays the device status and settings.
Units can be switched between mm,
µm, inches, and mil.
Figure 5: Detachable DRO attached to
microscope frame.
Figure 6: Detachable DRO positioned on
desktop.

12. Measurement Support Software
Measurement support software can enable numerous additional advantages when working
with a measuring microscope. STM7-BSW support software allows not only the acquisition
and display of a live image, but also observation, measurement, and report creation on the
same screen. Threshold-based edge detection and navigation across known samples make
finding measurement
locations faster, greatly
improving work efficiency.
STM7-BSW software
allows simpler and more
accurate measurement
of objects with complex
shapes, delivered through
an easy-to-use interface
that clearly displays all
output components (Fig. 7).
Figure 7: Sample STM7-BSW
interface.

13. Conclusion
Do your operating conditions call for a measuring microscope?
If you need fast, highly accurate measurements, chances are
that you are best off with a measuring microscope, which can
deliver sub-micron precision with extremely simple operation.
If you require accurate measurement beyond the field of view
of a traditional microscope, you should also consider a measuring
microscope (accurate within microns when measuring features
up to 300mm in the X and Y axis).
Furthermore, today’s newest measuring microscopes
can be customized and enhanced with a variety of features
including laser auto focus, a digital readout (DRO),
and measurement support software—all worth thinking about
when investing in a measuring microscope.

14. About the Author
Marc Silverstein
Product Manager, Olympus Corporation of the Americas,
Scientific Solutions Group
A member of the Olympus team since 1998, Marc Silverstein manages
the operation of measuring microscopes and digital microscopy and is also
responsible for downstream product marketing throughout the Americas.
From design to launch, Marc plays an integral role in the development and
support of today’s newest optical metrology hardware and software.