RICHTER OPTICA HS1 Student Microscope User Manual

RICHTER OPTICA HS1 Student Microscope

Thank you for your purchase of a Richter Optica microscope. The information in this manual is provided to answer most questions that can arise when operating your microscope and to help you avoid unnecessary maintenance expenses in the future. Please carefully read the instructions before operating the microscope. The nomenclature used to describe components and controls are identified on the opposite page.

UNPACKING

Do not discard the styrofoam container or packing materials until you are sure shipment is complete and undamaged (retain styrofoam shipping container to store your microscope when it is not in use). Remove all tape and packing material used to protect the microscope during shipment. Make certain lens surfaces do not come in contact with dirt, fingerprints or oil. Damage of lens surfaces occur when they come in contact with such contaminants, and image clarity is reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS

• EYEPIECE: Lens closest to the eye. Magnies the primary image formed by the objective lens.
• OBJECTIVE LENS: Lens closest to the specimen, forms the First magnified image of the specimen.
• NOSEPIECE: Revolving turret designed to hold objective lenses, permits changes of magnification by rotating different powered objective lenses into the optical path.
• STAGE CLIPS: Two locked-on clips hold the specimen slide in place on stage.
• STAGE: Platform of the microscope where the specimen slide is placed on the stage.
• DISC DIAPHRAGM: Rotating disc located below the 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 magnications.
• COARSE-FOCUS KNOB: Located on each side of the arm, raises or lowers the stage to bring the specimen tage into focus.
• FINE-FOCUS KNOB: (located just below coarse focusing knobs) permits more precise image adjustment.
• LAMP HOUSE ILLUMINATION: The microscope is provided with a built-in LED illuminator.
• SAFETY RACK STOP: When properly adjusted, controls maximum upward travel of stage. Prevents higher power objectives from breaking slides, and prevents damage to objective lenses. This stop has been pre-adjusted at the factory and will not need any further adjustment.

1. Changing Magnification
   • Magnification is changed by rotating the nosepiece until a different lens is moved into the optical path. Always turn the turret until you hear it “click”. This indicates that the lens is properly positioned.
   • The standard lenses that are provided with your microscope are a wide-meld 10x eyepiece (HS1+1, HS-1D Models come with 2 separate eyetubes as well as 2 eyepieces). 4x, 10x and 40x objectives. The 40x objective has a special spring retractable mechanism which retracts slightly when the front of lens comes in contact with the specimen slide. See chart below for specifications on objectives:

OBJECTIVE SPECIFICATION CHART

Objective| N.A.| Color Code Ring| Field of View| Working Distance| Mag with WF10x Eyepiece
---|---|---|---|---|---
Din 4x| 0.10| Red| 4.5mm| 18.5mm| 40x
Din 10x| 0.25| Yellow| 1.8mm| 6.4mm| 100x
Din 40x

retractable

| 0.65| Blue| 0.45mm| 0.5mm| 400x

• Also note that each objective has a color ring. This allows you to quickly change in magnification by referring to an easily observed color rather than to a number.
• The microscope has been parfocalled at the factory, which allows the user to easily change from one magnification to another requiring little or no adjustment of the fine focus knobs.
• As you increase the magnification, the field of view (area of specimen seen through the microscope) will decrease. That is why it is easier to find the specific area of interest on the specimen by starting with the lowest 4x objective lens, before increasing magnification with the 10x or 40x objective lens.
• NOTE: Care must be taken when rotating the 40x objective lens into place. This lens has a spring retractable mechanism which retracts slightly into its housing if the front of the lens strikes the specimen slide. With fine focus adjustment at mid-range, the rack stop has been adjusted at the factory to assure the 40x lens will clear the thickness of a normal specimen slide and cover slip. However, if the rack stop has been improperly adjusted, or if you are using a thicker than 0.17mm cover slip, moving the 40x lens too quickly could cause damage to the front lens element or to the slide.
• Do not let the lens element come into contact with a wet slide surface, as prolonged contact with any moisture could damage the lens. If lens is exposed to moisture, promptly wipe with lens paper/microfiber cloth to remove moisture.

1. Diopter adjustment for HS1+1 dual head model.
   • These dual head models have a 30-degree inclined eyepiece to provide comfortable viewing for the primary viewer. They also have a vertical eyepiece so that a second viewer can observe the image simultaneously. The primary viewer will have focused the microscope using the coarse and fine focus knobs. To compensate for differences in vision between primary and second viewer, second viewer may have to adjust image in vertical eyepiece by turning the knurled diopter adjustment.
2. Camera adaptation for model HS1-D
   • The video camera will be mounted on the vertical eyepiece tube, using the adapter you were provided with. You will need to pull out the eyepiece from the vertical tube and insert the adapter into the tube with the threads facing upwards. Then screw the camera into the threads to attach to the microscope. Note that when using a camera with the microscope, focusing of the image is accomplished by turning the microscope focusing knobs while observing the image on the display screen. Under these circumstances, the image observed through the inclined eyepiece will not be in focus.

MAINTENANCE

WARNING: For your own safety, turn switch of and remove plug from power source before maintaining your microscope. If the power cord is worn, cut or damaged in any way, have it replaced immediately to avoid shock or fire hazard.

1. Optical Maintenance
   • Do not attempt to disassemble any lens components. Consult a microscope service technician when any repairs not covered by instructions are needed. Prior to cleaning any lens surface, brush dust or dirt of lens surfaces using a camel hair brush, or use air to blow dust and lint off the surfaces. The use of compressed air from a can is an ideal source of clean air.
   • Do not remove eyepieces or objective lenses to clean. Clean only the outer lens surface. Breathe on lens to dampen surface, then wipe with lens paper or use a cotton swab moistened with distilled water. Wipe lens with a circular motion, applying as little pressure as possible. Avoid wiping dry lens surface as lenses are scratched easily. If excessive grease or dirt gets on the lens surfaces, a small amount of windex or distilled water can be used on a cotton swab or lens tissue. To clean objective lenses, clean front lens element only, following the same procedure.
   • NOTE: Fingerprints or matter on the front lens element of the objective lens is the single most common reason that you will experience difficulty in focusing the microscope. Before having costly servicing done, or before returning for warranty repair, we ask that you first make certain to examine the front lens element with a magnifying glass or eye loupe for the presence of such contaminants. If a microscope is returned for warranty repair, and it is determined that such contaminants are the problem, this is not covered under warranty and we will submit a cost estimate for cleaning.
2. Mechanical Maintenance
   • The rack stop screw has been pre-adjusted at the factory and should not require re-adjustment. However if you do attempt re-adjustment, note the following procedure: Loosen round knurled locking nut by turning counter-clockwise. Then loosen stop screw. With the fine focus adjustment at mid-range, focus on the standard slide until sharp image is achieved. Rotate the rack stop screw in clockwise direction until tight. Lock into position with the locking nut. A needle nose pliers might be needed to loosen the round locking nut.
   • NOTE: NEVER force the fine focus knob. No amount of force should ever be used on the fine focus knob. The fine focus adjustment is meant only to newly focus an image. Major focusing should always be done with the coarse focus knob. Forcing the fine focus knob voids the warranty.
   • Metal Parts: Use a clean, damp cloth to remove dust or dirt from metal parts, followed by a dry cloth.
3. Electrical Maintenance
   • To replace the rechargable batteries, you will need to lay the microscope on its arm with the bottom facing towards you.
   • Unscrew the 4 screws holding the rubber feet in place and set aside.
   • Once screws are removed, you will also need to remove the metal plate and set aside.
   • Next, you will need to remove the 2 silver screws holding the black battery box in place. There is also a gold washer under each that you will need to remove and set aside.
   • Once removed, there is a smaller black screw on the opposite side of the battery box that will need to be removed and set aside.
   • Once all screws have been removed, with your thumb pressed down on the 4 black lines of the battery box, push up until the back of the box comes of to expose the batteries.
   • Once batteries are replaced, make sure all screws are properly tightened before operation.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Light Fails to operate.

| Outlet inoperative.| Have qualified service technician repair outlet.
AC Power cord not connected.| Plug into outlet.
Bulb burned out, Fuse blown| Have qualified service technician replace bulb and/or fuse

Image does not remain in focus

| ****

Focus mechanism may be loose and causing the stage to drift.

| The microscope included a small focus adjustment tool in shipment. Insert this tool into the slots on the coarse focus shaft of the microscope. While holding the coarse focus knob steady, rotate the tool clockwise to tighten the focus mechanism. Do NOT try to force fine focus knob!! This voids the warranty.
---|---|---

Image will not focus

| ****

Rack stop not set at proper position

| Adjust rack stop
Slide upside down| Place slide on stage with cover slip up
Slide cover slip too thick| Use 0.17 mm thick cover slip (No. 1 cover slip)
Poor Resolution (Image not sharp)| Objective lenses dirty| Clean objective lenses
Eyepiece lens dirty| Clean eyepiece lenses
Too much light| Adjust disc diaphragm

Spots in field of view

| ****

Eyepiece or condenser lens too dirty

| ****

Clean lens

Specimen slide dirty| Clean slide

• Spots in field of view can also result from dirt on inside of eyepiece. It is recommended that you have a service technician clean inside of lens.

Adjusting Coarse Focus Tension

If the coarse focus knob will not move or is very tight, making the stage hard to move, the tension of the focus knob should be adjusted. Use the tension adjustment tool. If you do not have this tool, a paperclip can be bent to help with this task. Insert the tool into the small holes on the focus shaft and rotate the tool counter-clockwise to loosen the tension. If the stage is drifting or falling or the tension is too loose, rotate the tool clockwise to tighten the tension.

• Tension Adjustment Tool
• Rotate the tool counter-clockwise to loosen the focus mechanism.
• Rotate the tool clockwise to tighten the focus mechanism.

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