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Home Training Tools Ltd. 2005
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light from the illuminator and makes the light
change color slightly. In some cases this
may enhance the image of your specimen,
though generally it is not necessary.
11.
Coarse focus:
The low-position large
coarse focus knob is used to raise or lower
the stage until the image is in focus. The
focus mechanism uses a slip clutch to
prevent damage to the gears.
12.
Fine focus:
The smaller fine focus knob is
coaxial with the coarse focus, which means
that they turn on the same axis. This knob
allows more precise image resolving after
the image has been brought into focus with
the coarse focus knob.
13.
Illuminator:
The illuminator provides
necessary light underneath the stage. It
contains a 20-watt halogen bulb.
Instructions for changing the bulb are on
page 7.
14.
Field diaphragm:
This diaphragm is
located within the illuminator, creating a
setup called Köhler illumination. The field
diaphragm works with the iris diaphragm to
produce an evenly illuminated field, a bright
image without glare, and minimum heating
of the specimen.
15.
Illumination intensity control:
This
control adjusts the intensity
of the light produced by the
illuminator. It should be in a
low position when turning the
illuminator on or off. Use the
iris diaphragm to adjust the
light for
contrast;
use the illumination
intensity control to adjust the light for
brightness and intensity.
Operating Procedure
Now that you have an overview of what
each component on your microscope is for, you
can follow this step-by-step procedure to help
you get started using it.
Getting Started
1.
Set your microscope on a tabletop or other
flat sturdy surface where you will have
plenty of room to work. Plug the
microscope’s power cord into an outlet,
making sure that the excess cord is out of
the way so no one can trip over it or pull it
off of the table.
2.
Turn on your microscope's light source
using the switch located at the rear of the
base next to the cord. Open the iris
diaphragm all the way by rotating it
clockwise.
3.
Rotate the nosepiece to the lowest-power
(4x) objective. You will hear a click when it
is properly in place. Always start with the
lowest power: it is easiest to scan a slide at
a low setting, as you have a larger field of
view.
4.
Turn the coarse focus knob to move the
stage down (away) from the objective lens
as far as possible.
5.
Move the small lever on top of the stage to
open the curved slide clamp arm.
6.
Carefully place a prepared slide squarely
against the fixed arm and back edge of the
mechanical stage. Make sure the slide lies
flat on the microscope stage.
7.
Gently release the small lever allowing the
slide clamp arm to securely hold the
specimen slide in place.
8.
Move the specimen under the objective lens
by turning the stage control knobs. The
upper knob is the front/back (y) adjustment
control, which allows precise movement to
the front and back of the stage. The lower
knob is the right/left (x) adjustment control,
which allows precise movement to the right
and left of the stage. Turn these controls
without putting any pressure on the stage.
This will allow you to scan a slide while
maintaining fairly good focus.
9.
Adjust the larger coarse focus knob until the
specimen is in focus. Center the slide under
the lens, if necessary, using the stage
adjustment controls. Adjust the small fine
focus knob until the specimen is clearly in
focus.
10.
Adjust the iris diaphragm to reduce light
(turn it counter-clockwise) until the image
has clear, sharp contrast. You will need less
light on lower power and more light on
higher power. The following table gives
Slide lever
Slide clamp arm
Fixed arm
