TC5000 Series Inverted Microscope Instruction Manual
Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Microscope Features 1.2 General Safety Guidelines 1.3 Warning/Caution symbols used in this manual 1.4 Intended Product Use Statement 1.5 Product Safety Information - Handling the microscope 1.6 Warranty Notes 2.0 The Microscope and its Components 2.1 Installation Site 2.2 Unpacking 2.3 Microscope Set Up 2.4 Installing the Phase Contrast Slider as an option or upgrade 2.5 Installing Fluorescence Option 2.6 Fluorescence Filters Information 3.0 Microscope Operation 3.
TC-5000 Series Inverted Biological Microscope 1. Introduction The Meiji Techno TC-5000 Series inverted biological microscopes have a slim compact design that saves bench space. Easy operation through ergonomic placement of controls makes them ideal for use in production, research, education and clinical applications.
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1.3 Warning/Caution Symbols Used in this Manual You must be aware of all safety issues when you install and operate this microscope system. Several warning and caution symbols are listed below. These symbols are used throughout this instruction manual. For your safety, be sure to follow all instructions associated with the symbols listed below. Disregarding instructions marked with this symbol may lead to serious bodily injury or possibly death.
1.5 Product Safety Information- Handling the Microscope This microscope is not intended to be used in the immediate vicinity of water or a water outlet or placed in any location where water may penetrate the instrument. Water penetration may result in electrical shock or death. Choose only a suitable environment for your microscope. Do not subject the microscope to extreme temperature fluctuations.
1.6 Warranty Notes Meiji Techno warrants this product against defects in material and/or workmanship for the life of the instrument from the date of the original purchase to the original purchaser. Meiji Techno will repair or replace, at its option, any instrument which under normal conditions of use and service proves to be defective in material or workmanship. No charge will be made for labor or materials with respect to defects covered by this warranty, provided all repair work is done by Meiji Techno.
Meiji Techno’s convenience. In some cases, requests for warranty service are received which are not justified. In these cases, Meiji Techno will provide an explanation for nonwarranty action. WARRANTY TERMS The terms of this warranty may not be varied by any person, whether or not purporting to represent or act on behalf of Meiji Techno.
2.0 The Microscope and its Components The image below designates the main components of the TC5100 Series Brightfield Inverted Microscope. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
The image below designates the main components of the TC5300 Series Phase Contrast Inverted Microscope. 1. Binocular Head, 30° Inclination 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
The image below designates the main components of the TC5500 Epi- Fluorescence Inverted Microscope. 1. Binocular Head, 30° Inclination 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.
2.1 Installation Site The microscope should be operated in a room with as little dust as practically possible. Keep your instrument away from solvents, chemical fumes and excessive humidity. Also try to avoid big swings in ambient temperature, direct sunlight and vibration as they can affect measurements and instrument performance. Operating Ambient Conditions Temperature: 10 - 36°C (50 – 96.8°F) Relative Humidity: 0 – 80% up to 30°C (86°F) 2.
2.3 Microscope Set Up • As a first step, remove all components from the shipping container and remove the packing materials. Save the container and packing in a dry location. • Place the microscope frame on a stable work surface. • DO NOT PLUG IN THE MICROSCOPE AT THIS POINT.
• If purchased, un-wrap the mechanical stage (MA380/05). Locate the two holes on the bottom side of the plain stage on the right hand side. The two thumbscrews will attach the mechanical stage to the plain stage as shown in Figure 6. Tighten the thumbscrews snugly. Verify the smooth operation of the mechanical stage by turning the coaxial controls and checking for full un-restricted travel and movement.
2.4 Installing the Phase Contrast Slider These instructions are only to be followed if you currently have a Model TC-5100, TC-5200, TC-5500 and TC-5600 and you wish to upgrade your microscope to perform Phase Contrast Microscopy. In addition to installing Phase Contrast objectives, the Phase Contrast Slider will also have to be installed. Fortunately, the procedure is very simple.
2.5 Installing Fluorescence Option The following assembly steps are not required if fluorescence accessories have NOT been purchased. Prior to installing the fluorescence module into the microscope body; one will need to install the filters and mirrors into their slide carriage or holder. Installing the Filters and the Fluorescence Module The filter block slide can accommodate two different filter sets. 1. To install the filters, remove the filter carriage cover. 2.
3. Next, remove the fluorescence access cover on the back of the microscope as shown in Figure 2a using a #2 Phillips screwdriver removing all seven screws. Store the four smaller screws in a safe place along with the access cover as they will not be used with this configuration. 4. Next, rack up the focus block as high as it will go and remove the optics cover as shown in Figure 2b. 5.
12. When installed correctly, the fluorescence filter carriage will slide easily and click and lock in all three positions. When using the microscope, be careful when switching filter positions when the light source is on. There is a risk of light escaping while switching between filters, so be careful not to directly look at the escaping light.
2.6 Fluorescence Filter Information The epi-fluorescence equipped TC-5500 and TC-5600 include the following filter sets: Excitation Type Exciter Filter 25mm diameter Emitter Filter 25mm diameter Applications D470/40x Dichroic Mirror 25.7mm X 36mm 495DCLP Blue Chroma P/N: E515LPv2 D546/10x 565DCLP E590LPv2 FITC Acridine Orange Auramine EGFP, S65T, RSGFP Rhodamine TRITC Propidium iodine RFP 11001v 2 Green Chroma P/N: 11002v 2 Published Chroma Technology Corp.
3.0 Operation Once the microscope has been setup in its working location with all of the components correctly installed, it is ready for use. Your TC-5000 is a precision instrument designed to last a lifetime. Always handle your microscope with care and avoid abrupt motion, vibration and shock.
3.1 Basic Set Up For Transmitted Light – Brightfield 1. First, set your interpupillary distance on the microscope eyetubes by pulling them apart or pushing them closer together to fit your eyes. When set correctly, one will see one uniform round field of view. Make note of the distance setting when adjusted to your liking so you can later repeat the setting. 2. Turn on the microscope power switch as shown in Figure 1a marked number 10.
Objectives Information Depending on which objective is being used, before turning the nosepiece to change magnifications, the nosepiece will need to be lowered with the course focus knob otherwise the objective may crash into the stage if caution is not used.
3.2 Transmitted Light Operation – Phase Contrast Phase contrast is a very useful technique for high-contrast images of unstained or transparent specimens in petri dishes, cell and tissue culture flasks and multi-well plates. Meiji Techno’s TC5000 Series Phase Contrast Model features a centerable phase contrast slider with 4X annulus, 10X-20X-40X annulus and an empty slot for brightfield. A common phase annulus for the 10X–20X–40X objectives makes operation faster and easier.
Possible Phase Contrast Mode Operational Problems If normal adjustments are not getting the results you expect, check these: • • • • • • • • Wrong phase annulus being used. Phase annulus not centered correctly. Wrong condenser installed. Aperture diaphragm is completely closed. Flask or vessel glass too thick on bottom side. Halos around the outlines of details are optical artifacts which may obscure details of your specimen. This is a known limitation of phase contrast microscopy.
3.3 Incident Light Operation: Epi-Fluorescence For microscopes with fluorescence option installed only. For viewing of transparent objects using incident-light fluorescence, we recommend to first make your initial adjustments using brightfield with transmitted light. 1. First, switch on the power supply to the Nobska lamphouse and allow the lamp to achieve operating temperature. (Operating temperature is achieved when the power supply settles on the proper operating voltage.
Possible Incident Light Fluorescence Operational Problems If normal adjustments are not getting the results you expect, check these: • • • • • • • • • • • • • Weak fluorescence or image intensity: specimens improperly stored or too old Rapid fading of specimens i.e.
3.4 UV Light Safety Considerations Mercury arc lamps have UV light content in their output. The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that exposure to UV energy be controlled and limited as much as practically possible. Exposure to UV radiation even for very brief periods of time can be hazardous. The potential damage depends on exposure time, the type of UV light and the individuals sensitivity to UV. UV light causes sunburn.
3.5 Photomicrography with 35mm SLR and Digital SLR Cameras The TC Series of microscopes have a camera port directly in front of the instrument. In order to secure a 35mm SLR camera body to this microscope, an optional camera attachment part number MA869 will need to be attached to the front camera port of the TC with the corresponding T2 Adapter Ring that matches the camera to be used.
3.6 Photomicrography with Digital Still Cameras In order to mount a consumer grade digital camera to this microscope, an optional camera attachment MA868 plus a camera adapter will be needed to attach to the front camera port of the TC.
4.0 Maintenance and Cleaning • Disconnect the power cord on your equipment prior to performing cleaning, maintenance or repair. • Keep electrical components away from moisture or humidity. • In warm humid climates, take special care to prevent your equipment from exposure to fungal growth. • Clean the microscope after each use. Keeping your microscope clean will insure its proper operation over its lifetime.
Cleaning of Glass Surfaces Use a soft brush or lint-free cotton cloth to removed dust and loose particles. For tough dirt, use a soft lint-free cotton cloth moistened with distilled water. If that fails, try using medical or reagent grade isopropyl alcohol. Cleaning the Objectives Objectives should NEVER be disassembled for cleaning or for any other reason! We do not advise cleaning the inside surfaces of objectives or eyepieces.
5.1 Replacing the mains fuse on the microscope ALWAYS DISCONNECT YOUR EQUIPMENT BEFORE DOING ANY REPAIR. Location of Mains Fuse The mains fuse of the TC Series Inverted Microscopes is located on the back panel of the microscope as shown. Instructions to replace the mains fuse: • • • • • • Turn the power switch to the off position. Unplug the microscope from the wall outlet. Loosen the fuse cap from the fuse holder. Remove the blown fuse from the fuse cap.
5.3 Replacing the 6V 30W Halogen Light ALWAYS DISCONNECT YOUR EQUIPMENT BEFORE DOING ANY REPAIR. Do not touch the glass envelope of the lamp during installation. Keep the protective sleeve or bag of the lamp during installation and remove it right after installation. LAMP AND LAMP HOUSING MAY BE HOT TO THE TOUCH. • • • • • • • • • Switch off the microscope. Disconnect the power cord. Wait until the housing and bulb have cooled sufficiently.
5.4 Fluorescence Lamp does not work LAMP HOUSE MAY BE HOT TO THE TOUCH. Do not touch the glass envelope of the lamp at any time. Keep the protective sleeve or bag of the lamp during installation and remove it right after installation. • • • Make sure that all cable connections between the lamp house, power unit and mains are all properly established. Check if the lamp house power unit main fuse is intact. Check the logged hours of the lamp for an excess of 400 hours. 5.
6.0 Storage Protect your microscope from dust after each use by covering your instrument with the protective dust cover that came with your microscope. Store your microscope in a cabinet that has a stable temperature and low humidity. If you live in an area that has high humidity, consider storing your microscope in a sealed container along with a desiccant such as silica gel. It is also recommended that the objective and eyepieces be stored in a separate air tight container with desiccant. 7.
8.0 Accessories and Replacements Parts Part numbers and product descriptions for accessories and parts for TC Series Inverted Microscopes can be found listed below. Accessories and replacement parts for all Meiji Techno products are available through our dealer network. Feel free to contact us a call so we may direct you to the closest authorized Meiji Techno Dealer in your area. Call us toll free (800) 832-0060 Monday through Friday 9am – 5pm PST.
Epi-Fluorescent Objectives - Planachromat - Infinity Corrected - F = 200mm MA849 TC Planachromat F4X objective ∞/1.0, NA: 0.13, WD = 17.5mm, F.L.= 50.0 (optional) MA850 TC Planachromat F10X objective ∞/1.0, NA: 0.30, WD = 7.5mm, F.L.= 20.0 (included) MA851 TC Planachromat F20X objective ∞/1.0, NA: 0.40, WD = 7.5mm, F.L.= 10.0 (included) MA852 TC Planachromat F40X objective ∞/1.0, NA: 0.60, WD = 2.9mm, F.L.= 5.0 (optional) Condensers MA853 TC Condenser, N.A. 0.
MA860 ND25 Neutral density filter for epi-illuminator (included with TC5500, TC5600)
9.0 Technical Descriptions Filters and Applications Filter Application ND25 Neutral Filter or ND Filter. Grey filters or neutral density filters are used to attenuate all frequencies of light equally resulting in preservation of color temperature. The ND25 filter would indicate a reduction of light transmission by 75 percent or a passage of light of 25 percent. ND13 The ND13 filter would indicate a reduction of light transmission by 87 percent or a passage of light of 13 percent.
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Meiji Techno Co. Ltd. MEIJI TECHNO AMERICA 3010 Olcott St Santa Clara, CA 95054 Toll free: Phone: Fax: Email: Web: (800) 832-0060 (408) 970-4799 (408) 970-5054 sales@meijitechno.com http://www.meijitechno.com MEIJI TECHNO CO., LTD. 322-1, Chikumazawa, Miyoshi machi, Iruma-gun Saitama 354-0043, Japan Phone: Fax: E-mail: Web: 049-259-0111 049-259-0113 meiji@meijitechno.co.jp http://www.meijit echno.co.jp MEIJI TECHNO UK, LTD.
