Integrated Microscope Imaging: From Prototype to OEM Production

Launching a successful startup is a race against time. The most critical hurdle is often bridging the gap between a promising proof-of-concept and a reliable, production-ready instrument. To simplify this transition, Zaber provides two compatible hardware tiers that allow you to move from initial development to a commercial launch without the cost, risk, or delay of a ground-up redesign to make your prototype device production-ready.

This ecosystem is built on the Nucleus® modular platform for R&D and the MKO Microscope Imaging Core for production.

The MKO: Compact OEM Microscope Imaging Core (Product launch: Q3 2026)

The Zaber MKO module is a complete optical sub-system designed for demanding applications requiring high imaging throughput with high-magnification and high-NA objectives. Its folded optical path minimizes volume, helping you reduce the overall footprint of your device while still providing the required clearance to support high performance scientific cameras.

Figure 1. A 3D render of Zaber’s MKO OEM microscope core and MLR 3 channel LED epi-illuminator module. The imaging core distills the essential features of a research-grade microscope into a compact, competitively priced package.

Key Product Features

• Integrated Focus Stage: High-resolution objective nanopositioning.
• Fluorescence Ready: Includes dichroic and epi-illuminator mounting
• Industry Standard Optics: Nikon, Zeiss or Evident (Olympus) Tube lens and camera mount included; optional IR laser autofocus.
• Simplified Integration: USB, RS232, and EtherCAT interface options.

Technical Specifications

The Pathway: A Unified Imaging Architecture

The MKO shares its "Optical DNA" with the Zaber NucleusⓇ automated microscope platform. This ensures that the imaging performance you validate in development is exactly what you deliver to your customers.

1. Prototype on the Nucleus Platform

The Nucleus platform is Zaber’s modular, high-performance research microscope system. It delivers maximum flexibility in the lab, allowing users to swap objectives, filter cubes, and motorized stages, and implement even more creative customizations of the optical path to develop the perfect configuration for their application. It is the ideal "sandbox" for developing biological protocols and testing optical configurations.

2. Scale with the MKO Imaging Core

Once your configuration is validated, transition to the MKO. It has the same optical components and distances as the Nucleus, meaning your image analysis pipeline requires zero adjustments.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Figure 2. The optical path of the MKO OEM microscope core (A) maintains optical parity with the Nucleus MKR microscope core (B). By keeping the same optical components at the same distances, the imaging performance is identical across both development and production hardware.

Designed for Seamless Integration

Immediate Software Compatibility

The MKO uses the same electrical and software interface as the Nucleus platform. This means any code or image analysis pipelines developed on a Nucleus system can be updated to run on an MKO in minutes. By eliminating the need to rewrite drivers and software to a new API, you significantly reduce both technical risk and time-to-market.

Modular Hardware Expansion

Like all Zaber microscope devices, the MKO’s focus stage has an integrated driver and controller. This allows it to "daisy-chain" with other Zaber hardware—such as the X-ASR and X-ADR XY stages, the X-LCA4 lighting controller, and the X-LCA process controller. This shared ecosystem allows you to add capabilities to your system with minimal development time and cabling complexity.

Customization to meet your specific requirements

Customization is frequently required for OEM applications, and the MKO supports this in two key ways:

1. Mechanical Integration: The imaging core’s supporting frame is designed for modification, making it easy to add mounting points for additional hardware or integrate it into larger instrument enclosures.

Figure 3. The imaging core’s frame provides structural support for the sub-assemblies and flexible mounting options for mechanical integration into larger systems.

2. Optical Path Customization: Many of the optical customizations proven on the standard Nucleus platform—such as dual camera mounts, additional optical ports, or filter wheels—can be directly translated to the MKO. Because these are based on existing, refined designs, the cost and risk associated with customization are kept to a minimum. This supports you bringing your product to market affordable, quickly and reliably.

Why Choose Zaber for Your Microscope Imaging OEM?

Partnering with Zaber means more than just buying a component; it means gaining a predictable path from your first prototype to a global product launch.

• Zero-Friction Scaling: Move from the flexible Nucleus research platform to the production-ready MKO core without redesigning your optical path or rewriting your software.
• Reduced Technical Risk: Identical optical performance between our R&D and OEM tiers ensures that "everything just works" when you transition to your final form factor.
• Rapid Time-to-Market: Our unified API and "daisy-chain" hardware ecosystem eliminate integration headaches and custom driver development.
• Reliable Supply Chain: Zaber maintains industry-leading 1-5 day lead times and a stable supply chain, ensuring your production schedule stays on track as you scale.
• Expert Integration Support: You don’t need to be a mechanical or optical engineer to succeed with Zaber. Our responsive technical support team is available to help you navigate mechanical integration, software implementation, and optical configuration, acting as an extension of your own engineering team.