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Home Training Tools Ltd. 2005
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3.
Stereo head:
The head rotates 360º so that
multiple users can look in the
eyepieces comfortably without
moving the microscope itself
(to rotate, loosen the head set
screw on the left side of the
microscope).
4.
Diopter:
This knurled band on the left
eyepiece is used to adjust the focus for
differences between your eyes. Instructions
for doing this are on page 4.
5.
Locking knob:
The binocular head is
mounted on a post and can be raised,
lowered, or rotated 90º for off-stage viewing
by loosening the locking knob on the back of
the post.
6.
Focus knob:
This knob is used to raise or
lower the objective lens until the image is in
focus.
7.
Top (incident) illuminator:
This bulb-holder
holds the 10-watt, 12 volt tungsten bulb that
shines down on the specimen. Use this light
when your specimen is opaque or solid
(when light cannot pass through it from
below).
8.
Objective turret:
This rotating turret
contains the lenses closest to the specimen.
The two objective lenses have magnification
of either 1x and 3x or 2x and 4x depending
on the model. Multiplied with the 10x
eyepieces, the total magnification is 10x/30x
or 20x/40x.
9.
Stage:
The stage is the platform that
supports the specimen below the objective
lens.
10.
Stage clips:
These clips can be used to
hold thin specimens in place.
11.
Stage plate:
This microscope comes with
two stage plates. The frosted glass plate is
used with bottom lighting, and the reversible
black/white plate is used with top lighting to
help you get the best contrast.
12.
Bottom (transmitted) illuminator:
Another
10-watt, 12 volt tungsten bulb is located
beneath the stage plate. Use this light for
translucent specimens.
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.
Flip the switch to turn on your microscope's light
source. Use top lighting for opaque specimens
and bottom lighting for translucent specimens.
Some specimens have both opaque and
translucent parts. You may have to switch
between lighting options.
Warning:
The top light
can get very hot. Use care touching the top light
housing during use.
Do not touch the lamp
directly.
3.
Center a specimen on the stage plate. If you are
using top lighting, insert the reversible black/white
stage plate (use the dark side if the specimen is
light-colored). To change or reverse the plate,
insert the small hex wrench (included with your
microscope) into the hole on the right side of the
stage and turn until you are able to pop the plate
out. Turn the plate over and tighten it in place
with the wrench.
4.
If your specimen is thin and flat, or if its edges
curl up easily, use the stage clips to hold it in
place. To do this, pull up the pointed end of one
stage clip and slide it over one end of the
specimen, then do the same with the stage clip
on the other side. If your specimen is larger
than the stage plate, turn the stage clips out so
that they hang off the stage; this will give you
more room to work.
5.
You may need to adjust the height of the head in
order to find a good working distance between
the specimen and the objective lens. Do this by
loosening the locking knob, moving the head to
the appropriate position, and tightening the
locking knob. If you are viewing a very large
specimen, you may want to turn the head 90º
and place your specimen directly on the table.
6.
Turn the objective turret until the lowest-power
objective clicks into place. The 1x or 2x label will
be facing you.
7.
Slowly turn the focus knob until the specimen
comes into view. Once you can see the outline
of the specimen, turn the knob even more slowly
until it is focused as sharply as possible. Once
you have focused your specimen, you can move
it around to see other parts of it. You may need
to refocus slightly on each new area, especially
when the specimen surface is uneven.
