VHX Feature Comparison
What is the tradeoff when using a larger travel stage?
The VHX microscope comes with a programming interface that allows advanced users to create their own user interfaces. This enables a larger machine to be built around the VHX. This is called operating the VHX through “remote control.” There are substantial benefits of operating the VHX in this manner, but there are a number of features that lose support as well.
Larger Measuring Volume
by using longer travel positioning stages.
More automation
by using more advanced programmable motion controllers.
Larger images
by using more powerful processors and additional image stitching engines.
Feature Loss
some standard Keyence VHX features do not work with additional programming interfaces.
Supported features table
This table shows the main microscope functions under native Keyence control vs. under remote control. The remote control user interface is called ScanX. When ScanX is disconnected from the microscope the standard Keyence software behaves as usual. ScanX will still be used to jog the motorized stages even if it is disconnected to the microscope.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Function is Keyence Supported | Function is Peak Metrology Supported | |||||
2 | Function | Sub-Function | Supported via 7000N Controller | Through ScanX software | Through VHX software (individual images), but ScanX must be disconnected first* | Details | |
3 | Console | Operator handheld controls | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
4 | Observation function | Auto focus function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Requires Keyence motorized Z stage | |
5 | Manaul focus using Keyence Z stage | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
6 | Focus view function | ✔ | Not Supported | Not Supported | |||
7 | Lighting shift function (height difference enhancement) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ScanX supports Full and Partial Coaxial, Full and Partial Ring, Mix, and Manual Brightness Adjustments | ||
8 | Multi-lighting functions | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
9 | Changing lens magnification | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
10 | Camera-shake correcting functions | ✔ | ✔ | Not Supported | Can be supported through ScanX if desired. Consult Peak Metrology. | ||
11 | Optical shadow effect mode function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
12 | Motorized XY Jog funtion | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
13 | Motorized large travel Z ("V") stage motion and jogging | Not Supported | ✔ | ✔ | |||
14 | Manual tilt ("T") stage motion and observation | ✔ | Not Supported | Not Supported | |||
15 | Motorized tilt ("T") stage motion and jogging | Not Supported | ✔ | ✔ | |||
16 | Capturing and saving individual images and videos | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
17 | Display function | Full screen display function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
18 | Split screen funtion | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
19 | Real-time digital zoom | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
20 | Comment display function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
21 | Image optimization function | Glare eliminating function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Can be supported through ScanX if desired. Consult Peak Metrology. | |
22 | Ring eliminating function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
23 | HDR function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Can be supported through ScanX if desired. Consult Peak Metrology. | ||
24 | Adjusting shutter speed/gain | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
25 | Sharpening image mode | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
26 | Stitching function | 2D image stitching | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Glare or Ring Removal, Optical Shaddow Effect Mode, or HDR sub-functions can be supported through ScanX if desired. Consult Peak Metrology. | |
27 | 3D image stitching | ✔ | ✔ | Not Supported | |||
28 | Manual image stitching | ✔ | ✔ | Not Supported | |||
29 | Navigation function | ✔ | ✔ | Not Supported | |||
30 | Teaching Function | Register a position list and auto-run batch image acquisition | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ScanX cannot use Glare or Ring Removal, Optical Shaddow Effect Mode, HDR, or measurement sub-functions | |
31 | Change lens magnification inside of position list | ✔ | ✔ | Not Supported | |||
32 | Stitch images together as part of position list | Not Supported | Not Supported | ✔ | |||
33 | Use depth composition inside of a position list | ✔ | ✔ | Not Supported | Can be supported through ScanX if desired. Consult Peak Metrology. | ||
34 | 3D function | Live depth composition function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
35 | Quick Composition and 3D function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Quick composition can be supported through ScanX if desired. Consult Peak Metrology. 3D function is not supported. | ||
36 | Fine depth composition | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
37 | Manual 3D composition | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
38 | 3D display function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
39 | 3D shape correction function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
40 | 3D 2-screen simultaneous comparison function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
41 | Recording function | Report output (Excel) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
42 | Recording settings reproduction function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
43 | Timer capture function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
44 | Video recording/playback function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
45 | Measurement function | Distance, angle, radius, area, etc. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
46 | Automatic edge detection | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
47 | Scale display | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
48 | Automatic count, area measurement functions | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
49 | Automatic area measurements | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
50 | Grain size analysis | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
51 | Contamination analysis | ✔ | ✔ | Not Supported | |||
52 | One-click measurement | ✔ | ✔ | Not Supported | |||
53 | Auto measurement | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
54 | Teaching auto measurement | ✔ | ✔ | Not Supported | |||
55 | Lens/zoom automatic recognition function (TRIPLE’R) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
56 | Auto calibration | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
57 | One push calibration function | ✔ | Not Supported | ✔ | |||
58 | CSV storage | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
59 | 3D measurement function (VHX-H5M option function | 3D profile measurement | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
60 | Point-to-point height measurement function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
61 | 3D volume measurement | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
62 | Roughness measurement | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
63 | Manual XY measurement system (VHX-H3M3 option function) | XY stage measurement | ✔ | ✔ | Not Supported | ||
64 | Wide image display function | ✔ | ✔ | Not Supported | |||
65 | * When ScanX is disconnected from the microscope the functions remaining on the Keyence microscope side will mimic a system without an XY stage. | ||||||