ZenCoreBrochure1

Refer to the original PDF for tables, figures and page layout.

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zeiss.com/zen-core
ZEISS ZEN core
Software Suite for Connected Microscopy in Material Laboratories
Connected Productivity 
in the Materials Lab


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ZEN core is a powerful software suite for microscopy imaging, 
automated control of motorized ZEISS microscopes, and multi-
modal workflows in material laboratory environments.
Use ZEN core to handle routine tasks on a wide range of ZEISS microscope and 
camera systems. While extracting the highest technical performance from your 
microscopes, ZEN core provides access to every parameter and function you 
might wish to optimize through an intuitive and configurable graphical interface.
Create task-specific workbenches that show only the required microscope 
controls on the screen. Combine these workbenches to create dedicated jobs 
that assist your operators through a defined flow of consecutive tasks, to ensure 
data repeatability in a multi-user environment. 
ZEN core helps you to make your laboratory even more productive. With 
workflow and infrastructure solutions that connect data from different 
microscopes, ZEN core delivers more meaningful information in the form of 
correlated multi-scale and / or multi-modal characterization data. And thanks  
to its database connectivity features, you keep your valuable data together  
across instruments, laboratories, and locations.
Imaging Software for Connected Microscopy  
in Material Laboratories
The ZEN core user interface provides both a bright and a dark 
mode to meet the needs of different users and their preferred 
working environment.
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System


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Simpler. More Intelligent. More Integrated.
Easy to Configure. Easy to Use. 
ZEN core gives you the benefit of an adaptive user 
interface tailored to the needs of industrial and 
research environments. The easy-to-follow GUI 
configuration accommodates tasks of all kinds 
and any complexity. ZEN core also offers you 
configurable user management, so you can 
specify users and user roles. Whatever their level 
of experience, operators will learn the software 
quickly. Using the ZEISS Word Add-In lets you 
easily create user configured report templates in 
MS Word®. The reporting functionality exports 
reports to various file formats including PDF or 
DOCX.
Advanced Imaging and Automated 
Analysis
ZEN core is the command center for automated 
imaging and analysis functions on compound light 
microscopes. By using built-in automated image 
acquisition routines, such as HDR or Best Image, 
you benefit from the consistency of an advanced 
and repeatable workflow. ZEN core provides 
automated image segmentation based on 
machine learning algorithms, as well as analysis 
functionality such as phase analysis or particle 
counting. Application-specific modules enhance 
your microscope to answer typical questions 
about the material structure in research and 
quality control.
Infrastructure Solution for the  
Connected Laboratory
ZEN core provides the infrastructure for connected 
laboratory environments, linking all your ZEISS 
imaging and microscope solutions to a single, 
familiar GUI. ZEN core is also the interface to the 
ZEISS Axiocam camera portfolio, safeguarding  
an open connected laboratory architecture for  
3rd party solutions. ZEN core bridges different 
forms of light and electron microscopy, improving 
productivity and multi-modal data integrity. Data 
management and database connectivity features 
help you to keep your valuable analysis data 
together across instruments, laboratories, and 
locations.
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System


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ZEISS ZEN core at Work
•	 Full operational control of ZEISS microscopes, 
cameras, and components
•	 Workbenches for repetitive application tasks
•	 Single and automated panorama image  
acquisition
•	 User management functionality
•	 High Dynamic Range (HDR) image acquisition
•	 Create and manage input forms
•	 Live image video recording
•	 Image and data information displayed in 
datazone below the image
ZEN core home screen: Access to image acquisition and job functions 
Preconfigured workbench
Reporting template
Measurement functions
•	 Best Image functionality 
•	 Enhanced depth of field via manual focus
•	 Measurement functions
•	 Microsoft Word® reports and report templates 
•	 Data archive for images, documents and  
templates
•	 Image export to all standard image formats 
such as JPG, BMP, TIFF
•	 Connection to ConfoMap
•	 Extended workflow capabilities, loop  
functionality
Standard Features
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System


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ZEISS ZEN core at Work
Automation for Compound  
Light Microscopes
Obtain results – rapidly and repeatably. ZEN core 
provides you with a wide range of choices for  
automated image acquisition:
•	 Best Image: assists you with the optimum  
microscope settings for image acquisition.
•	 HDR: ensures best image quality even with  
challenging light conditions.
•	 Panorama and Tiles: create stitched images in 
just a few clicks.
•	 Autofocus: automatically determine the perfect 
focus position for your sample.
•	 EDF: Automatically acquire multiple images at 
different focus positions and combine them to 
an image with enhanced depth of field.
Best Image workbench generates several images by applying different microscope presets. The user can choose the best image.
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System


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ZEISS ZEN core at Work
Grain Size Analysis
•	 The size and distribution of grains are directly 
linked to the material properties. Quantify  
the crystallographic structure of your materialo-
graphic samples in accordance to international 
standards. Three evaluation methods allow you 
to characterize your material: 
•	 Planimetric method for automatic grain  
boundary reconstruction
•	 Intercept method with a variety of different 
chord patterns to interactively recognize and 
count the intersections with grain boundaries
•	 Comparison method for manual image  
evaluation with comparative diagrams
Supported Standards: 
•	 DIN EN ISO 643:2012
•	 ASTM E 112-13
•	 ASTM E 1382-97
•	 GB/T 6394 2017 Plate I-V
•	 the segmentation of the image can be  
performed by lates machine learning algorithms
Planimetric Grain Size Analysis – result view
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System


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ZEISS ZEN core at Work
Multiphase Analysis
Any part of the material with a distinct crystal 
structure can be taken as a “phase”. Different 
phases are separated from one another by distinct 
boundaries. Distribution and orientation of phases 
affect the material properties like hardness, 
strength or elongation at break.
Analyze the phase distribution in your samples. 
Determine size, shape or orientation precisely and 
fully automatically. Use this distribution analysis  
to gain information about porosity of additive 
manufactured material. 
Multiphase Analysis – result view with distribution of different phases 
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System


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ZEISS ZEN core at Work
Cast Iron Analysis
Depending on process parameters and chemical 
composition of the material, graphite particles  
in cast iron can occur in different shape and 
distribution. This influences the mechanical 
properties of the material. 
Analyze the shape and size of graphite particles 
fully automatically. Obtain the spheroid number 
according to DIN EN ISO 945 (2019). Determine 
the nodularity of vermicular graphite and examine 
the content of graphite particles in area 
percentage.
Cast Iron Analysis – image segmentation step 
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System


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ZEISS ZEN core at Work
Layer Thickness Measurement
Measure thickness of coatings and platings, or the 
depth of hardened surfaces in the cross section of 
a sample. 
Evaluate complex layers systems either auto-
matically or interactively. The module calculates 
the course of the measurement chords depending 
on the gradient present. 
Get the results from your part in a clearly report 
containing images, sample data and measurement 
values, such as the maximum and minimum chord 
lengths, mean, and standard deviation. 
Supported Standards:
•	 DIN EN ISO 1463 - 2004
•	 ASTM B 487 - 2007
Layer Thickness Measurement – automatic detection of a layer
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System


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ZEISS ZEN core at Work
Non-Metallic Inclusion Analysis
The type and amount of non-metallic inclusions 
(NMI) in steels strongly affect the mechanical and 
physical properties of these steels.
Metallographic analysis of NMI is governed by 
industry standards that are supported by the 
modular and customizable ZEN core software 
which guides the user quickly and easily through 
the workflow, generating a report and inclusion 
gallery compliant with the standards.
ZEISS ZEN module Non-Metallic Inclusion Analysis 
confirms that manufacturing processes, grade and 
quality of the product meet strict specifications 
for impurities or defects that can cause a 
component to fail or impact its tensile strength, 
toughness and fatigue.
Powerful inspection views and automated 
deformation axis detection features make analysis 
easy, intuitive and repeatable. With additional GxP 
functionality, ZEN core users are able to offer their 
customers full traceability and data integrity in 
NMI analyses, meaning that grade certification is 
auditable, particularly advantageous for 
customers in regulated industries.
NMI user interface: Global Results view providing the option to toggle between the display of inclusion types oxides, sulfides, and artifacts.
Supported Standards 
ASTM E45
ISO 4967
JIS G0555
GB/T 10561
EN 10247
SEP 1571
DIN 50602
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System


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ZEISS ZEN core at Work
Comparative Diagrams
Make your Wall Charts digital. Compare your  
sample under the microscope with comparative 
diagrams directly on your screen. Choose between 
different schematic micrographs with specific 
characteristics. These change gradually from  
image to image and may relate to grain size,  
carbide precipitation in steel, or quality of sample 
preparation. The module also provides a chart  
series creator to design your own comparison  
diagrams, e.g. for pass-/fail criteria in quality  
control or best target preparation images for  
your individual material microstructures.
Supported Standards 
Grains: 
DIN EN ISO 643:2012 
ASTM E 112-13 Plate I-IV
GB/T 6394 2017 Plate I-IV
Graphite: 
EN ISO 945-1: 2008 + Cor. 1: 2010
Non-metallic inclusion (NMI):
ASTM E45
ISO 4967
GB/T 10561
EN 10247
DIN 50602
Comparative Diagrams: Compare the sample with standardized or customized wall charts.
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System


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ZEISS ZEN core at Work
ZEN Intellesis: Image Segmentation  
by Machine Learning
Segmentation is one of the biggest challenges 
faced by today’s microscopists. With image 
segmentation using machine learning you can 
avoid errors and influences of user bias. 
ZEN Intellesis is your software module for 
powerful machine learning segmentation of 
multidimensional images including 3D datasets. 
You can smoothly integrate multiple imaging 
modalities or achieve superior segmentation on 
any single image. 
Images that had to be processed manually can 
now be analyzed automatically, by training ZEN 
Intellesis to segment them for you, using the 
straightforward graphical interface. Use your 
expertise to train the software and let ZEN 
Intellesis do the tedious segmentation.
You will also benefit from saving sample prepa-
ration time, as ZEN Intellesis can adapt to your 
sample preparation. Reproducibility is guaranteed 
as the stored analysis program can be re-used 
sample by sample, or re-trained to handle new 
samples.
ZEN Intellesis user interface: The user labels a few regions just by painting them in to teach the system how to segment the image.
Once a segmentation model has been trained, it can be re-used, shared, and applied to a bundle of images.
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System


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ZEISS ZEN core at Work
ZEN Connect: Quality Data Put in Context
Organize and visualize different microscopy 
images and data from the same sample in their 
context, all in one place. For sample-centric 
analysis, ZEN Connect workflows enable you to 
get from a quick overview image to advanced 
imaging with multipe modalities. The correlations 
between the images at different scales can be 
seen and easily navigated. The interdependencies 
of the different datasets can be stored, exported 
and re-used in a Client Server Database.  
ZEN Connect also enables an integrated reporting 
across the connected images, videos, and 
datasets.
Shuttle & Find: Correlative Microscopy
The ZEISS correlative microscopy interface enables 
you to seamlessly transfer samples between 
different light and/or electron microscopes, then 
quickly and automatically relocate regions of 
interest to collect maximum relevant data with 
minimal effort. With Shuttle & Find you can:
•	 Transfer samples and image data between  
ZEISS light and electron microscope systems
•	 Relocate regions of interest automatically
•	 Improve efficiency and throughput 
•	 Collect the maximum relevant information
•	 Make well informed material decisions
ZEN Connect user interface
Shuttle & Find: Get more information from light and electron  
microscopy – together
Additively manufactured gear wheel. Imaged on ZEISS Axio Zoom 
for overview and ZEISS Axio Imager for higher resolution. All  
images are aligned and well structured in one ZEISS ZEN Connect 
project. Courtesy of T. Schubert, Aalen University, Germany.
Click here to view this video
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System


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ZEISS ZEN core at Work
Archive / Database
The Archive or, optionally the Client Server 
Database, is the storage location for all the results 
and templates generated with ZEN core. Easily 
browse and access all results, even those gene-
rated from multiple instruments operated via  
ZEN core. Single station installations can be 
seamlessly upgraded to multi-station/multi-user 
database environments.
•	 Access data collected from individual systems  
or from multi-modal workflows
•	 Central storage of results and templates across 
systems, laboratories and locations
•	 Upgradable to database and multi-user systems
•	 In Client Server environments, access to all the 
result data, templates and workflows from all 
connected ZEN core clients
Filtering and managing your results in the browse result view of ZEN core
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System


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Axiocam 305 color
Axiocam 305 color
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Data acquisition
Light and electron microscopes
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Post acquisition
Office workstations and mobile devices
ZEN Data Storage 
Central data management
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Data and workflow exchange 
Between systems, labs, and locations
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ZEISS ZEN core at Work
ZEN Data Storage: Central Data Management in the Connected Laboratory
As digitization continues to improve microscopic investigations, you’re facing an ever-growing mass of 
images and data that needs to be managed, all the more so in multi-user laboratories. ZEN Data Storage 
enables you to separate image and data acquisition from post-acquisition works, making everyone in the  
lab work more efficiently in a number of ways:
•	 Experts and non-experts alike can share instrument presets, workflows, data and reports with ease.
•	 Access to all data from different microscope systems as well as mobile and desktop devices is a given – 
from different locations, too.
•	 Access any ZEN Data Storage content with ZEN Data Explorer, a hybrid app for iOS and Android, to 
browse, view, and annotate images and ZEN core job results.
•	 Your analyses are quality assured and reproducible.
•	 With effortless correlation of data from different microscopes, you can perform multi-modal workflows 
and reap maximum information from your samples.
•	 You’ll also help your IT department implement security and backups.
ZEN Data Explorer: The web-based app, included in the  
ZEN Data Storage server package, allows to browse, view,  
and annotate images on smartphones and tablet devices.
›   In Brief
›   The Advantages
›   The Applications
›   The System