AmScope SM-2 Series User manual

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User’s Manual

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Contents
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Before Use........................................................................................................... 3
Introduction.............................................................................................3
Safety Precautions ..................................................................................4
Parts............................................................................................................... 5
SM-2B/T.............................................................................................. 5
Definition of Parts ............................................................................... 6
Getting Started ...........................................................................................8
Assembly.................................................................................................8
Operation .................................................................................................10
Setting Up................................................................................................10
Focusing ............................................................................................... 10
Using the Trinocular Port ..................................................................11
Attaching a Camera ...........................................................................11
Replacing the lamps and fuses...........................................................12
Adjusting Focusing Tension ............................................................12
Maintenance/Precautions .................................................................... 13
Specifications..............................................................................................14
Specifications....................................................................................... 14
Optional Accessories........................................................................... 15
Technical Terms & Concepts ..........................................................16
Troubleshooting .......................................................................................17
Common Issues (Optical)..................................................................17
Common Issues (Mechanical)...........................................................18

SM
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Before
Use
3
Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of your new AmScope microscope!
This manual is designed for the SM-2 series microscopes (SM-2B, SM-2T, and all their variants).
The two base models of this series differ in that the -B models are binocular (two eyepiece ocular
tubes), while the -T models are trinocular (two eyepiece ocular tubes with a third port on top for
a microscope camera).
Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the features and functions of your new microscope.
If you’d like more information on microscopes, parts, or accessories, please visit our website at:
www.amscope.com
We highly recommend you study this manual thoroughly before operating the microscope and
that you keep it on hand for future reference.
If you have additional questions or need assistance, please send us an email at:
[e-mail]

SM
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Before
Use
4
Safety Precautions
1. As the microscope is a precision instrument, always handle it with care, avoiding impact
or abrupt movement during transportation. Do not shake the package.
2. Do not place the microscope in direct sunlight or in high heat. Keep it indoors in a dry
and clean place with temperatures between 32-100 degrees F (0-40 degrees C), and in
maximum relative humidity of 85%.
3. Avoid touching the lenses on the objectives and the eyepieces so that oil and dirt from
your fingerprints do not obstruct your view.
4. Before turning the power on, make sure that the power supply voltage is consistent with
the voltage of your microscope (for units with built in illumination).

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Parts
5
SM-2B/T
Eyepieces
Trinocular Port (SM-2T Only)
Interpupillary Adjusters
Trinocular Shutter Control
(SM-2T Only) Pillar Stand
Magnification Knob
Objective Focusing Knob
Focusing Rack
Top Light Source
StageClips
Top Light Dimmer
Base Light Dimmer

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Parts
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Definition of Parts
AdjustableTrinocularPort
Threaded port with adjustable length of attachment of digital or video camera
Boom Stand
Stand for the microscope that allows the head to be moved in physical space in various directions
Continuous Zoom
A microscope head with a knob to change magnification through a range
Dimmer
Controls the amount of light that escapes from the illumination source
Diopter
Allows the focus to be perfected for both eyes, independent of each other
Fixed Power
Microscope head whose objectives are pre-set at certain levels and changed by rotating the objective
Focusing Knob
sed to move the microscope head vertically to bring the sample into focus
GooseneckIlluminator
Illuminator independent of the unit that allows movement of one or two necks for controlled lighting
Head Lock Screw
Screws the microscope head into place
Magnification Knob
Changes the magnification of the lenses on a continuous zoom microscope
Microscope Head
Contains the objective lens, eyepiece ocular tubes, and prisms used to magnify
Ocular Tube
Tube designed to hold the eyepieces or camera in place

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Parts
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Ring Light
An illuminator that mounts directly onto the objective to emit even light on the sample below
Simul-FocalMicroscopeHead
Head containing a focus adjustment for a trinocular port camera to simultaneously to match the eyepieces
Table Stand
A stand which sits on the table and holds the head directly above the sample without moving

SM
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Getting
Started
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Assembly

SM
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Getting
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1. First, take the styrofoam container out of the cardboard carton and lay it on its side, paying attention
to which side is labeled up. Remove the tape and open the container carefully so as to avoid dropping
and damaging the optical items. Check carefully to ensure that all parts and accessories are intact.
2. Check the packing list to ensure that you’re received all items. Please note that this can vary
depending on which model you’ve purchased, and is generally listed on www.amscope.com at the
items’ details page for your specific model.
3. Remove the microscope body from the box and remove the plastic protective covering. The body of the
microscope is composed of the base that comes with your unit, the focusing rack, and the head lock
screw.
4. For –PL model, insert the illumination device①in the bracket
and tighten the lock screw②. Insert plug into the socket③of the
pillar stand.
5. After mounting the focusing rack to the base (if not already
attached in shipping), slide the objective of the microscope into
the hole and secure with included head lock screw.
6. For the -T models, screw the photo port onto the top of the
microscope head (trinocular C-mount port).
7. Remove the eyetube caps and drop the desired eyepieces into the eyepiece ocular tubes. Be sure
to avoid touching the lens to ensure no artifacts appear in your image.
8. Remove the cap from the objective lens.
9. Plug in the microscope and turn it on if a light source is included (or refer to your specific light
source instructions for mounting/turning on if an external source). If no light emerges from the
light source, adjust the dimmer knob near the power switch.
10. If viewing an opaque sample, use a top light source, however while using a translucent sample,
either light source can be used.

SM
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Getting
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Setting Up
1. Once you have placed your sample on the table or base below the objective, center the sample as best
as possible. A slide is neither needed nor required for a stereo microscope, although they can be used if
desired. If using a slide, use the stage clips to hold it in place.
2. With both eyes open, look into the eyepieces. Adjust the
interpupillary distance by holding the eyepiece tubes and rotating
the eyepiece tubes either towards or away from each other until
only one circle of light is seen by both eyes.
3. Adjust the magnification knob to the lowest setting (0.7) and
move the microscope’s focusing knobs (on the focusing rack) to
adjust the height of the unit until at approximately 4 inches
(101mm) away from the sample. If not clear after adjusting,
please be sure that you have not installed any additional Barlow
lenses onto the objective.
4. Center the object in the field of view once you have achieved focus.
Focusing
1. A stereo microscope’s focus differs from a compound microscope. Magnification and focal distance
(working distance) are inversely related to each other. The more magnified one is, the lower the
distance between the objective and the sample to achieve focus.
2. When first using the microscope, remove all Barlow lenses and set the magnification knob (on the
microscope head) to the minimum setting (0.7x).
3. Begin focusing the microscope by moving the knob until the head is about 4 inches (101mm)
away from the sample. This should bring the microscope in focus at 7x.
4. If you’d like to use greater magnification than the minimum setting, you will need to move the
microscope head closer to the sample as well as adjust the magnification knob to a higher setting. The
more magnified, the closer you need to be.
5. If you’ve achieved the maximum magnification (45x and 3/16 of an inch or 4.76mm) on the
microscope, you can use other accessories to either further increase or further decrease the
magnification, called Barlow lenses. These lenses screw onto the objective to either amplify or reduce
the total magnification.