3
Thank you for your purchase of a National microscope. It is a well built, precision instrument and carefully checked to assure
that it reaches you in good condition. It is designed for ease of operation and years of carefree use. The information in this
manual probably far exceeds what you will need to know in order to operate and maintain your microscope. However, it is
provided to answer questions, which might arise, and to help you avoid any maintenance expense that may be unnecessary.
Carefully read instructions before operating microscope. Nomenclature used to describe components and controls are
identified on opposite page of the manual.
UNPACKING
Do not discard Styrofoam container or packing materials.
Save in case instrument needs to be transported or shipped
for repairs. Remove microscope and dustcover from container. Remove all tape and packing material used to protect
microscope during shipment. Make certain lens surfaces do not come in contact with dirt, fingerprints or oil. Damage of lens
surfaces occurs when they come in contact with such contaminants, and image quality is reduced.
DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS
A. OCULAR LENS (eyepiece): Lens closest to the eye, magnifies the primary image formed by the objective lens
B. OBJECTIVE LENS: Lens closest to the specimen, forms the first magnified image of the specimen.
C. OBJECTIVE TURRET (nosepiece): Revolving turret designed to hold objective lenses, permits changes of magnification
by rotating different powered objective lenses into optical path.
D. STAGE CLIPS: Two locked-on clips hold specimen slide in place on stage.
E. STAGE: Platform of the microscope where the specimen slide is placed on stage.
F. DISC DIAPHRAGM: Rotating disc located below stage, with 6 holes of various apertures, designed to help achieve
optimum resolution of the objective lens. Smaller apertures used for lower magnifications, and larger apertures used for
higher magnifications.
G. SAFETY RACK STOP: When properly adjusted, controls maximum downward travel of body tube while focusing,
prevents higher power objectives from breaking specimen slides, prevents damage to objective lenses. This safety rack
stop has been pre-adjusted at the factory.
H. FOCUSING KNOBS: Focusing knobs located on each side of arm, when turned, raise or lower body tube to bring
specimen into focus.
I.
Model 109 has coarse focus knobs described above, plus fine focus knobs (smaller knobs) located on both sides of arm
right below coarse focus knobs. These permit precise adjustment for sharper focus of image.
J.
ILLUMINATION: Depending on model purchased, microscope is provided with either a plano-concave mirror or built-in
electrical illuminator.
1. Mirror provides illumination of specimen by reflecting light from an artificial source or natural light.
2. Substage electrical illuminator provides constant, reliable pre-focused illumination.
3. Sub-stage cordless LED illuminator provides illumination equal to 20 watt tungsten bulb. Features ON/OFF switch
with rheostat intensity control, rechargeable AA Nickel Hydride batteries and auto recharger.
OPERATION
A. Always carry microscope by grasping arm with one hand and placing other hand under base.
B. Place microscope directly in front of you in a manner which permits you to comfortably look into the eyepiece. Position
the microscope with the arm facing you so that focusing knobs are most convenient to reach, and you do not block light
if using a model that has a mirror for illumination.
C. Note that model 106 can be tilted at the inclination joint to provide comfortable viewing angle. Model 109 has a special
inclined eyepiece so that it is not necessary to tilt microscope at inclination joint.
