VOL.

2
S U C CE S SFU L A PPLIC AT IONS
DIG ITA L M IC R OS COP E V HX

KEYENCE has collected

application examples from clients in various industries
who have used the VHX Series digital microscope.

PLEASE READ THE PAGES RELATED TO YOUR OCCUPATION AND INDUSTRY

CHEM I C A L

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Different from SEM,

the VHX can acquire colour information of images
Observation results have been drastically improved

e are conducting process research to find new functions for foam.

We use a stereoscopic microscope to check the foam cell status, but this microscope cannot accurately

capture the shape because the depth-of-field is too shallow. For this reason, we mainly use SEM to capture the
shape. But SEM does not provide us with quick observation results because it takes a long time to go from
preprocessing to observation.
We are aiming to shorten the development period and improve the study level. However, we frequently could not
obtain enough observation points. This involuntarily prolonged the development period because the observation
based mainly on SEM required an enormous amount of time. Our company could lose out on millions of dollars if
we get a late start in new markets. We knew that another department introduced the VHX and borrowed it once.
Although it is an optical microscope, the VHX has a deep depth-of-field and can observe solid samples as they
are. Also, different from SEM, the observation result has been drastically improved because the VHX can acquire
colour information of the images.
After introducing the VHX, the number of observation and analysis points for one part has been drastically
increased and it has become possible to advance our research based on the available data. Each manufacturing
process change provides timely analysis, so the research time has been drastically shortened to enable early
market entry. This should lead to big profits. The VHX is becoming an indispensable analysis tool.

CHEM I C A L

QUALITY CONTROL
DEPARTMENT
The 3D display function enables us
to accurately understand the shape of an object
and provide our clients with accurate support

e paint cellular phones and digital cameras.

We paint the moulded parts received from moulding manufacturers and deliver the parts for assembly. I am

in charge of acceptance inspection and response to market claims.

The VHX was introduced from a person in the Business Department and we bought it on a lease-contract base. The
VHX provides clear observation because of the deep depth-of-field. The 3D display function enables us to easily
identify if the returned product is a foreign object or if the moulded part is a defect. It is no longer necessary to ask
an external specialised agency for the analysis and wait for the result. This enables us to accurately respond to
clients because we can promptly and accurately analyse products.

Until now, we covered the damages even if we were not responsible for a moulded part defect because we could
not accurately analyse the products. However, we have reduced expenses by introducing the VHX and the increase
in the entire quality level has had a positive ripple effect.

PHARMA C EU TI C A L

QUALITY CONTROL
DEPARTMENT

Observation freedom from various angles

without missing observation points

e are a drug medicine manufacturer and in charge of product delivery inspection.

We use a stereoscopic microscope to visually inspect all products so that no defective products such as

foreign objects are delivered. For inspection of foreign objects in a bottle, it may be difficult to clearly judge if there
is a foreign object in the bottle because the glass is thick and light is refracted especially at the bottom of the bottle.
In this case, all the products that are seemingly defective are discarded because the bottle cannot be opened.
Yield cannot be improved and foreign object inspection takes a long time, so we are always busy trying to meet
the delivery deadline. It's no wonder that the deadlines are not being met. A while ago, we unsealed and checked
products judged as defective. We found several hundred that were not defective. One product that costs us a few
dollars can cause damages of thousands or even millions of dollars. At that time, we received the VHX catalogue
and discovered the free angle observation system. The observation freedom from various angles without missing
observation points and light flexibility allows us to immediately find good viewing angles. This allows us to clearly
check for foreign objects even from the outside of the bottle.
After introducing the VHX, we can reduce discarded products because we can check them unsealed. This greatly
contributes to yield improvement, cost reduction, and helps us to meet shorter deadlines.

20 TIMES (OR MORE) THAN AN OPTICAL MICROSCOPE

DEEP DEPTH-OF-FIELD
Depth-of-field 20 times deeper than an optical microscope has been
achieved. This enables accurate observation of a large textured object
that an optical microscope cannot focus.

Connector

OPTICAL MICROSCOPE

VHX MICROSCOPE

IMPROVING IMAGE RESOLUTION:

HIGH-RESOLUTION HDR
A high-resolution image is obtained by using short-wavelength light and
the HDR (High Dynamic Range) function to capture multiple images at
varying shutter speeds. This produces a high colour gradation image
with high resolution and sharp contrast that was previously impossible
to obtain.

Normal observation of IC (1500)

High resolution HDR observation of IC (1500)

INSTANTANEOUS IMAGE COMPOSITION

REAL-TIME DEPTH
COMPOSITION FUNCTION
Turning the focal adjustment dial while observing an image
provides real-time display of an omni-focal image.
(300)

ABUNDANT LENS LINEUP

OBSERVABLE AT 0 AND TO A MAXIMUM OF 5000 TIMES

Abundant lens lineup of 0x to 5000x times is available. This lineup supports all scenes
from the landscape-level area to the SEM low-power area.

54,000,000-PIXEL 3CCD HAND HELD CAMERA

ULTRA-HIGH-DEFINITION OBSERVATION
The pixel shift method provides ultra-high-definition observation
of up to 54,000,000-pixels. This method boasts texture
representation close to that of the naked eye as well as colour
reproducibility.
2,110,000 pixels

54,000,000 pixels

HIGH-ACCURACY 3D DISPLAY FUNCTION

ACCURATE D.F.D METHOD

A new algorithm has been adopted that detects delicate
texture change to estimate height. This algorithm enables highdefinition 3D with a small number of images.
Bolt (100)

Conventional methods

54,000,000 pixels

INCREDIBLE TIME SAVINGS

FREE ANGLE OBSERVATION SYSTEM

15

This system provides observation in 360-degrees.

15

30

45

30
45

Easy-to-adjust

45

45
60

Cable holder

60

75

90

Oblique
axis

120

High-stability frame
90
60

Vibration-proof rubber

Rotation axis

Microscope image

Copyright (c) 2014 KEYENCE CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

VHX-Inspection2-WW-L-GB 1094-1 600F74 Printed in Japan

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