Parts of microscope that risk getting trouble.

In previous article about why microscope need to service?, we know if microscope malfunction are effected by age of the tools, using intesity, quality of product, and behavior of user depend on knowledge about microscope maintenance.

Common trouble which usually found in microscope using are:

1. Body, in coarse adjustment knob part. The tube usually slip off that make hard to focusing our vision (see picture 2 of light microscope show with arrow) whereas in electrical microscope (picture 1, left) fine and coarse adjustment knobs located below th body usually slip off too.

Other body part usually has trouble is on hinge parts. The hinge often getting loose.

2. Lenses

Lenses are very sensitive parts of microscope. Ages of lenses are depending on using time and user behavior. Storage has significant impact too. Ocular is made from 2 layers lens (up-down). Objective has two until 5 layers depend on the magnification (see picture 5 and 6).

3. electricity (on electrical microscope)

Electrical microscope is kind of microscope that using electric lamp for light source. Electrical parts example like electric source, fuse, transformator, lamp, and other electric components sometimes need to repair or replace (see picture 1, left or here).

4. Other

Beside parts that mention above, in real situation often found other damage or trouble in microscope. The trouble is depending on kind of microscope type and quality.

What can we do to solve the troubles?
Of course to reaching learning objective or observation objective we need microscope in good condition. To reach good and ready to use condition, we need to maintenace and care microscope in right procedure.

Microscop need profesional procedure and cannot just handed by very people who has not capability.

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Why We need to service our microscope ?

In previous post, I was explained about microscope components. Microscope divided into two major components, optical and non-optical. Optical parts (no. 1,6,9,10) and non- optical parts (except numbers above). In non optical components, service means setting the functions, whereas in optical parts, service means wiping or cleaning lenses which each lens depend on the magnification. In bigger magnification there are more lenses have to clean

Functionality of microscope depend on :

1. Microscope age

2. Using intensity

3. Behavior of user

Because, focus of lenses/ clean of lenses depend on the character/ behavior/type/capacity/capability/ knowledge and responsibility of someone who know about using microscope rightly.

For example: if someone using microscope in huge magnification (400x/1000x) objective lens position will be closer with object and the object glass will touched by objective lens. If we use fresh sample or contain coloring agents, it will patch at the objective lens.

If we have knowledge in using microscope, we will remember to clean up the objective lens with xylene and lens tissue right after using. (look at this picture)

4. Storage place.

Points (3) and (4) usually cause damage on mechanical or optical functions. Mechanical malfunction usually found in microscope is revolver and ocular tube slip off. It make our vision cannot be focus. Other problem is lens covered by mold, it caused by poor of care to clean the lens, microscope not put in chill, dry, dustless, and free of acid base favor place, and not put silica gel.

On factor list above, microscope which uses in many practice need specific maintenance to keep the functions.

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