Whether you are doing research, teaching, quality control, heat treatment, or failure analysis work, do you have a Leica microscope in the laboratory? Leica microscope has clear imaging, intelligent analysis software, and one machine on the side, making all observation work easy and effortless. However, good instruments and equipment require a set of standardized operating procedures and good daily maintenance in order to perform better and extend their service life. As the saying goes, only by cherishing it can it better serve you.
How can we ensure that Leica microscopes maintain good operating conditions, effectively extend their lifespan, make images clearer, and test data more accurate? You who use Leica microscopes must look! Here are the operating procedures and daily maintenance methods provided by Leica experts.
Leica Microscope Operating Procedures
1、 Leica microscope usage conditions:
Having three protective conditions, namely shockproof, moisture-proof, and dustproof; Power supply: 220V, 50HZ; Temperature: 0 ℃ -40 ℃.
The operating steps and daily maintenance precautions of the system are as follows:
2、 Leica microscope operating steps:
1. Microscopic optical system
(1) Gently remove the dust cover and turn on the power.
(2) According to the required magnification of the sample, select an objective lens and an eyepiece, and install them separately in the lens barrel.
(3) Adjust the center of the stage to align with the center of the objective lens, and gently place the sample in the center of the stage. The observation surface of the sample should be placed towards the direction of the objective lens (the upright microscope should face upwards, and the inverted microscope should face downwards).
(4) Firstly, adjust the coarse adjustment knob to make the observation surface of the sample close to the objective lens, so that a blurry image can be seen in the eyepiece. Then, slowly adjust the fine adjustment knob to focus while observing the image in the eyepiece until a clear image is observed.
(5) Adjust the field of view aperture and aperture aperture aperture, and select the appropriate filter to obtain the ideal image.
(6) Carefully observe in the eyepiece, adjust the position of the stage in front, back, left, and right, observe different parts of the sample, conduct comprehensive observation and analysis, and find a representative observation field for observation.
2. Image analysis software system
(1) Turn on the computer and start the LAS X image analysis software.
(2) Turn the knob to the observation/photography switch position, switch to the video interface and camera, and then you can observe real-time images on the computer display screen.
(3) After finding the field of view that you are concerned about, collect images, perform corresponding processing, and then output, store, and print reports. After observing the experiment, cut off the power supply in a timely manner and cover it with a dust cover.
3、 Precautions for maintenance and upkeep:
The use of Leica microscopes is very simple, but there are some precautions that need special attention in daily work.
(1) All operations must be light and in place.
(2) To avoid scratching the objective lens during focusing, do not let the objective lens touch the sample, so be particularly careful when focusing. Also, do not switch the objective lens when the center of the pad circular hole on the stage is away from the center of the objective lens.
(3) The brightness adjustment of the light bulb should not be too bright, nor should it be too large or too small. The purpose of doing so is to better protect vision and extend the lifespan of the light bulb. At the same time, remember to turn the brightness down when turning off.
(4) When replacing halogen lamps, avoid being burned by high temperatures and do not directly touch the glass body of the halogen lamp with your hands. The filament position light in the lighting system must be adjusted by professional personnel to ensure imaging quality.
(5) Optical components such as objective lenses and eyepieces must be wiped and cleaned by professional personnel.
(6) Cleaning of eyepiece: dip a Cotton wool swab into the mixture of anhydrous alcohol and ether (1:1 ratio), dry it and wipe it. Do not use other liquids, otherwise the eyepiece will be easily damaged.
(7) Use a dedicated drying dish to hold optical components that are not frequently used.
(8) When the microscope is turned off, be sure to adjust the objective lens to a lower state. Then cover the dust cover after the instrument cools down.
Optical system maintenance for mechanical maintenance
1、 Mechanical maintenance
The use of a dust cover can effectively prevent dust, impurities in the air, oil stains, and other pollutants from contaminating the optical components of the microscope. It 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, remember to use a dust cover.
If the microscope casing is stained, using ethanol or soapy water to clean is a good method. Of course, a specialized cleaning solution can also be used, but it is absolutely prohibited to use other organic solvents for cleaning. Be careful not to allow the cleaning solution to penetrate into the interior of the microscope during cleaning, as this may cause corrosion or short circuits in internal electronic components.
Maintain a dry usage environment for Leica microscopes to prevent mold. Laboratories with conditions can use air conditioning or dehumidification equipment.
2、 Optical system maintenance
The optical system is the core part of the Leica microscope, and maintaining the cleanliness of optical components is crucial for the performance of the Leica microscope. When the microscope is not in use, using a dust cover can effectively prevent dust, and the cost is also low. It must be used!
When there is fog or mold on the surface of optical components, professional maintenance and upkeep must be carried out by Leica professional engineers. We really can't handle this, so when we encounter this situation, we haven't discussed it. Please contact the manufacturer quickly to handle it.
Attention: The maintenance of the optical system should be careful, meticulous, and patient. Surface floating dust can be directly removed by blowing a balloon; Stains can only be cleaned with pure solvents, distilled water, and special tools; Never use paper, fiber cloth, etc. to wipe, as this can easily damage the objective lens and should not be done carelessly.
Do you understand that correct operation and regular maintenance are the guarantees for maintaining the long-term and reliable operation of the system? If you have any questions, please contact our engineers and we will be happy to serve you.