Table of Contents
Nikon SMZ-800/1000 Z-Axis & Zoom Flex-Drive Installation Procedure
The procedure below outlines the steps necessary to install the ASI Microscope Focus Controller Drive onto the Nikon SMZ-800/1000 microscope.
To perform the following steps you will need the following tools
1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm 4mm, and 7/64 hex wrenches The hex wrenches are provided by ASI.
The procedure has 6 parts
- Removing the left fine focus knob & the left zoom knob
- Installing the baseplate
- Installing and aligning the Z motor drive assembly
- Installing and aligning the Zoom motor drive assembly
- Installing the motor drive cover plate & fine focus knob
- Connecting the cables to the controller
Part 1 - Removing the Left Fine Focus Knob left Zoom knob
Remove the left fine focus knob from the microscope as follows:
Use 1.5mm Allen wrench to loosen setscrew on fine focus knob & two setscrews on left zoom knob. Pull knobs straight off.
Part 2 - Installing the Baseplate & the Z-axis drive
Locate the baseplate. If the motor drive is attached to the base plate use the 2.5mm Allen wrench to remove the horizontal adjustment screw to remove the drive from the base plate. Use the 2.5mm Allen wrench to loosen the two vertical adjustment screws as shown in figure 2.
Install the base plate onto the microscope as shown in figure 4. Use the two 5X16mm socket head cap screws to secure the baseplate to the microscope as shown in figure 5 and tighten securely with the 4mm Allen wrench.
Install the drive as shown in figure 6. Please note that there is a groove on the baseplate that the tab on the adjustment bar slides into. Secure the drive to the base plate with the horizontal adjustment screw as shown in figure 7. Push drive clamp up against focus knob & tighten as shown in figure 8. Please not that this clamp must be securely tightened to prevent any slippage. After the drive clamp has been securely tightened tighten the vertical adjustment screws as shown in figure 9.
Part 3 - Aligning the Motor Drive
Check the alignment by noting the drag while turning the right fine focus knob. No noticeable drag should be felt at any point with in the full 360 degrees of rotation. If any noticeable drag is felt loosen the Vertical & Horizontal adjustment screws and reposition the drive to a point where no drag is felt. Then hold the drive in place and tighten Vertical & Horizontal adjustment screws.
Part 4 - Installing and aligning the Zoom motor drive assembly
Locate the zoom gear and spacer as shown in figure 10. Install this assembly onto the zoom shaft as shown in figures 11 & 12. Align and secure the gears in place as shown in figures 13 through 16. Then install the cover as shown in figure 17. Please note that the zoom assembly of the microscope may need to be turned in the stand slightly as described in figure 14 to get the gears to mate properly.

Part 5-Installing the motor drive cover plate & fine focus knob.
Install the cover and secure in place with the button head screws and the 2mm Allen wrench. Install the original fine focus knob as shown and secure in place with the 2mm Allen wrench. Please Note: that the setscrew in the fine focus knob should mate with the flat that is on the shaft.
This completes the procedure for installing the ASI motor drive on to the Nikon SMZ 800/1000 stereo zoom microscope