Tips for Microscope Care
Proper care and maintenance of your microscope can extend its life by many years.
- Handle with care
Most microscope problems occur as a result of improper handling. When carrying your microscope, hold it by the base and the metal support arm. Do not pick it up by the stage, as this can result in misalignment of the stage.
- Be careful of slide when focusing
When using your microscope and adjusting the focus, make sure the objective does not touch the slide as it will cause damage to the objective or slide. Lower the objective slowly and carefully especially at high magnification when the working distance is short. It is suggested to over-focus close to the slide before bringing the focus downwards to find the focus point of the specimen.
- Clean after using immersion oil
If using immersion oil, always ensure the objectives are cleaned immediately after use with lint-free lens tissue to minimise oil staining on the objective front lens. Lint-free lens tissues are delicate wipes that would not scratch the surface of the oculars or objective. Be careful of the objective next to the oil immersion objective as it is very common that it will be smeared with oil when rotating if it is a high magnification objective such as 40X due to the short working distance. If it happens, immediately clean the objective with lens cleaner before the oil dries as you will not get a clear image with a dry objective that is stained with immersion oil.
- Caring of and replacing the bulb
After using the microscope, turn off the illuminator to the minimum intensity if the microscope is using a halogen or tungsten bulb. This will extend the lifespan of the bulb in the long term. When turning the microscope on and off, use its switch instead of the power source. Do not switch on the microscope while the intensity knob is set at maximum. Never touch the glass portion of a bulb with your bare hands as the natural oils from your skin can leave oil prints on the glass surface that become very hot when the bulb is turned on, creating an imbalance of lighting on image viewed & also shortens the bulb’s lifespan. Use a tissue instead to hold and replace the bulb if needed.
- Perform an annual maintenance check
An annual maintenance check should be performed by an experienced service staff on the microscope to assess for any damage and to carry out detailed cleaning. Checks should also be performed on the kohler illumination, if applicable, as well as the alignment of the various optical techniques. Microscopy companies usually recommend preventive maintenance to be performed on microscopes at least once a year.
