Sutter Instrument Lambda 10-3, Operation Manual

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LAMBDA 10-3 OPERATION MANUAL – REV. 3.03 (20110829)
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A disc (CD-ROM) containing the USB device drivers, and demo programs for use when
either the USB port or the RS-232 serial port is used.
Microscope adapters (if ordered).
Each 10-position filter wheel is shipped with nine positions of the wheel containing retaining
rings, spacer rings and blanking discs. One of the individual filter holders contains the same
three components. The second individual filter holder and one position of the wheel (position
#1) contain only retainers and spacers.
The Lambda 10-3 is shipped to you in a prefabricated foam mold. Please take note of this
method of packaging. Should it ever be necessary to ship the Lambda 10-3 to another
location, the same method of packaging should be employed. Additional packing material
may be purchased from Sutter Instruments Company.
IMPORTANT: Improper packaging is a for IMPORTANT: Improper packaging is a for IMPORTANT: Improper packaging is a for IMPORTANT: Improper packaging is a form of abuse and, as such, can be responsible for m of abuse and, as such, can be responsible for m of abuse and, as such, can be responsible for m of abuse and, as such, can be responsible for
voiding the warranty where shipping damage is sustained because of such packing. voiding the warranty where shipping damage is sustained because of such packing. voiding the warranty where shipping damage is sustained because of such packing. voiding the warranty where shipping damage is sustained because of such packing.
2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 Pre Pre Pre Pre----Installation Considerations Installation Considerations Installation Considerations Installation Considerations
2.2.1
2.2.1 2.2.1
2.2.1 Vibrations
Vibrations Vibrations
Vibrations
The Lambda 10-3 filter wheel system was designed to produce fast filter changes with a
minimum of vibration. The microprocessor controls the trajectory of each move using
microsteps with programmed acceleration and deceleration profiles. The result is a system so
smooth that customers using the Lambda 10-3 for the first time have called to report that
their wheel isn’t turning simply because they could not hear or feel anything.
Although the Lambda 10-3 is smooth and quiet, even the slightest vibration can produce
problems for the electrophysiologist. Vibration can come from several sources. The most
pronounced effects normally come from the high-speed shutter, if that option has been
included. The shutter produces a very sharp impulse which is best avoided by finding another
way of turning the light on and off such as turning to a blanked filter position. When the
motor accelerates and decelerates the filter wheel rapidly, the torque applied tends to turn
the motor and the Lambda housing in the opposite direction. If the housing is not firmly
attached, this may appear as vibration that increases with the selected speed and the weight
of filters loaded. This is not usually a problem if the wheel is firmly mounted to a good solid
surface.
Stepping motor-based systems can produce considerable vibration and noise if the rate at
which steps are taken excites a system resonance. This problem is greatly reduced by
decreasing the step size with microstepping. Even when microstepping is used, it is possible
to produce vibration by selecting a speed that is not optimal or by starting a new move within
a few milliseconds of the end of the previous move. For example, with only 2 typical filters
loaded speed 1 should give a very smooth move that stops with little vibration. Speed 2, 3,
and 7 may all produce more vibration at the end of a move with this load even though they
are slower speeds.
At a minimum, we recommend that the Lambda 10-3 should be firmly mounted to a solid
surface by the support stand, which is included with each unit. Do not depend on the optical
coupling between the microscope and the Lambda 10-3 to support and stabilize the Lambda
10-3. This configuration will be adequate in many cases. If there is still too much vibration,