Welcome to our website devoted to the subject of Industrial Microscopy. Let’s first explore the question: What is an industrial microscope? It can be any one of a variety of specialized microscopes. The use of the microscope for industrial applications is common.So many different uses and configurations can be imagined.

We can visualize the use of a low power stereo microscope as well as a high power compound microscope in an industrial setting.We can also come up with industrial applications for more specialized microscopes such as a toolmakers microscope, a metallurgical metallographic microscope, and an industrial quality video zoom microscope system.Low power stereoscopic microscopes may be used in industrial applications such as circuit board repair and quality control inspection of small parts manufacturing. High power compound light microscopes are typically biological and clinical microscopes.These would generally not be considered as instruments of industrial microscopy and instead would be considered medical or science related.

However, metallurgical microscopes are also considered part of the larger classification of a high power compound light microscope.Foundries, metalworking shops, metal heat treating facilities, and such all may find the need for a good quality metallographic (metallurgical) microscope.A toolmakers microscope may also be considered as a tool for industrial microscopy. Machine shops, tool and die manufacturers, and small parts manufacturing facilities all may find the need for a toolmaker’s microscope.

Another large need in an industrial setting for microscopy would be the use of a video zoom inspection system capable of doing quality control analysis on microscopic features of the product line. An example of this would be an assembly line on small circuit boards. This type of industry frequently uses video imaging of their product in their industrial quality control laboratories.An industrial video microscopy system typically includes a generally low power microscope connected to a video camera with output to a cctv monitor. Components to be quality control checked are placed under the microscope system and viewed under various zoom magnifications on the cctv monitor.

The history of the microscope has its beginnings in the fields of biology and science. But as the industrial processes became more complex, stringent machining tolerances, specific grain structures in metal heat treating, and the smallest of electronic circuits, the use of the microscope for industrial applications became more prevalent.
Today, microscopes are a critical component in insuring quality control and repeatability for a variety of industrial microscopy applications.