In our daily work, we inevitably encounter awkward situations such as instrument interruptions, which negatively affect downtime, maintenance costs, and critical work processes&hellip& Hellip; A pile of troubles. Especially for those who work with Leica microscopes in the laboratory, Leica microscopes refer to quality testing, scientific research, teaching, and production& Hellip; Once these eyes malfunction, all related work will be adversely affected. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out correct use, regular maintenance, and upkeep of Leica microscopes.
Leica microscopes are precision Optical instrument. In order to ensure the normal operation of the system, Leica microscopes should be used by special personnel who are responsible for maintenance. Others are not allowed to use the operating equipment without permission.
The following are suggestions from optical experts on the use, maintenance, and upkeep of Leica microscopes, hoping to be helpful to you.
Operating Instructions
The operating steps and daily maintenance precautions for the Leica microscope system are as follows:
1. Microscope system
(1) Remove the dust cover and turn on the power.
(2) Gently place the sample on the pad of the stage, adjust the coarse adjustment knob first, and then adjust the fine adjustment knob. Carefully adjust the focal length while observing with an eyepiece until the image can be clearly observed.
(3) Adjust the position of the stage again, observe carefully in the eyepiece, find the field of view that needs to be observed, and make the observation.
2. Image Analysis System
Turn the observation/photography switch knob to the corresponding position, switch to the video interface and camera, open the computer, and start the LASX image analysis software. At this point, you can observe real-time images, find the field of view you care about, collect images, and perform corresponding processing.
3. Precautions for maintenance and upkeep
The service life and reliability of Leica microscopes are inseparable from proper daily maintenance and upkeep. The summary is as follows:
(1) The installation of Leica microscopes should have three protective conditions, namely shock resistance, moisture resistance, and dust prevention;
(2) Power supply: 220V, 50HZ, temperature: 0 ℃ -40 ℃
(3) To avoid scratching the objective lens, be particularly careful when focusing and do not let the objective lens touch the sample. In addition, do not switch the objective lens when the center of the circular hole in the stage gasket is far from the center position of the objective lens.
(4) In order to better protect vision and extend the lifespan of the light bulb, the brightness adjustment should not be too bright, nor should it be too large or too small.
(5) Remember to turn the brightness down when turning off the computer.
(6) All operations must be light and in place.
(7) When replacing a halogen lamp, do not directly touch the glass body of the halogen lamp with your hands to avoid being burned by high temperature.
(8) The lighting system (filament position light) must be adjusted by professional personnel to ensure imaging quality.
(9) The objective lens and other optical parts must be wiped and cleaned by professionals. The eyepiece should be dipped with a 1:1 ratio (absolute alcohol: ether) mixed liquid with a Cotton wool swab, and then wiped after being shaken dry. Other liquids should not be used, otherwise the eyepiece will be easily damaged.
(10) Prepare a dedicated drying dish for storing infrequently used optical components.
(11) When the instrument is turned off and not in use, be sure to adjust the objective lens to a lower state. Then cover the dust cover after the instrument cools down.
Mechanical maintenance
The use of a dust cover is one of the important factors to ensure that the Leica microscope is in good mechanical and physical condition for a long time. Therefore, when the instrument is not in use, it is necessary to use a dust cover.
If the microscope casing is stained, it can be cleaned with ethanol or soapy water, or with a specialized cleaning solution. However, it is prohibited to use other organic solvents for cleaning. During cleaning, be careful not to allow the cleaning solution to penetrate into the inside of the microscope to avoid corrosion or short circuits of internal electronic components.
Keep the Leica microscope in a dry environment, and use air conditioning or dehumidification equipment in the laboratory to prevent mold.
Optical system maintenance
The cleanliness of optical components is crucial for the optical performance of Leica microscopes. When the microscope is not in use, covering it with a dust cover can effectively prevent dust, which is low-cost and must be used!
But when foggy or moldy spots are found on the surface of optical components, Leica professional engineers need to assist you in professional maintenance and upkeep of the microscope.
Special attention should be paid to cleaning the optical components of the Leica microscope, with caution, care, and patience. For the floating dust on the surface of the optical components, it is more appropriate to directly use a blowing balloon to remove it; But if it is a stain, then only pure solvent, distilled water, and special tools can be used for cleaning. Do not use paper, fiber cloth, etc. to wipe it on your own, as carelessness can cause a decrease in the clarity of the objective lens and even damage it.
In summary, experts suggest that you invest appropriately in the regular maintenance and upkeep of Leica microscopes, which will help maintain the system's long-term and reliable operation, ensuring that your work is smoother and more efficient.