AmScope SM-4 Series User manual

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
(Please Read This Manual Before Using the Microscope)
SM-4 Series
Stereo Microscope

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Copyright © 2015 United Scope Inc. DBA AmScope. All rights reserved.
Copyright Notice
This document, which is in draft form and subject to change without notice, is an
unpublished work containing confidential, trade secret information that is
proprietary to AmScope, and is protected by laws pertaining to such materials.
This document, the information in this document and all rights thereto are the
sole and exclusive property of AmScope and are not to be copied, used or
disclosed to anyone, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of
AmScope.
AmScope assumes no liability for any damages incurred, directly or indirectly,
from any errors, omissions or discrepancies between the use of this microscope
and the information contained in this document.
AmScope
Purchasing: 949-333-0001 or 1-888-950-2888 FREE (toll free)
Customer Service: 949-333-0002
Technical Support: 949-333-0004
Shipping: 949-333-0005
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Fax: [phone]

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Contents
BEFORE USE ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Precautions ........................................................................................................................................... 4
1. MICROSCOPE PARTS ............................................................................................................................... 5
2. OPERATION............................................................................................................................................. 6
2-1 Unpack............................................................................................................................................ 6
2-2 Assemble ......................................................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Setting up the Specimen .................................................................................................................12
2.4 Focusing.........................................................................................................................................13
2.5 Attaching a Camera .......................................................................................................................17
2.6 Adjusting Focus Tension ................................................................................................................18
2.7 Maintenance...................................................................................................................................19
3. SPECIFICATIONS.....................................................................................................................................20
3.1 General Model Specifications ........................................................................................................20
4. PARAMETERS .........................................................................................................................................21
4.1 Electrical System............................................................................................................................21
4.2 Eyetube Parameters .......................................................................................................................21
4.3 Objective Lens Parameters ............................................................................................................21
5. RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES ..............................................................................................................22
5.1 Eyepieces .......................................................................................................................................22
5.2 Barlow Lenses................................................................................................................................22
5.3 Cameras and Accessories ..............................................................................................................23
5.4 Stands.............................................................................................................................................24
5.5 Ring Lights and Illuminators .........................................................................................................25
5.6 Darkfield Condensers ....................................................................................................................25
6. TROUBLESHOOTING ...............................................................................................................................26
6.1 Optical Issues.................................................................................................................................26
6.2 Mechanical Issues..........................................................................................................................27
6.3 Electrical Issues .............................................................................................................................27
7. GENERAL MICROSCOPY GUIDE..............................................................................................................28

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Before Use
Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of your new AmScope Microscope! This
manual is designed for the SM-4 series microscopes (SM-4B, SM-4T, 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 want more information on
microscope, parts, and accessories, please visit our website at:
www.AmScope.com
We recommend that 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:
[email protected]
Please include the microscope model number in your email so that we can
identify your model and provide immediate help.
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°F
(0°-40°C), maximum relative humidity: 85%
3. Avoid touching the lenses on the objective and the eyepiece 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.

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1. Microscope Parts
Stereo Microscope
(Don’t have a good enough photo with a
white background for the graphic.)

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2. Operation
2-1 Unpack a) Very carefully slide the Styrofoam container out
of the cardboard carton.
b) Lay the Styrofoam container on its side. Make
sure the side labeled up is up. There are two
vertical arrows on the box for direction.
c) Remove the tape.
d) Carefully open the Styrofoam container, avoid
dropping and damaging the optical items.
e) Check the packing list to ensure that all parts
and accessories are intact.
Please note that the packing list can vary depending on which model
you‟ve purchased. Packing lists are generally listed on www.amscope.com
on the microscope‟s details section for your specific model.
2-2 Assemble Remove the microscope from
the box and remove the plastic
protective covering.
The body of the microscope is
composed of (from bottom
arrow to top) the base and pillar
that comes with your unit, the
focusing rack, and the head
lock screw.
Attach the vertical pillar to the base, the double arm boom stand to the
vertical pillar (securing it with the protective collar and the lock lever).

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2.2.1 Assemble the Boom Stand
1. Insert the pillar into the base stand.
2. Screw in the pillar very securely.
3. The knob on the pillar adjusts the vertical
movement of the arm. Loosen the knob on the
protective collar to move the collar up and down.
4. Adjust the collar to a medium height for
installation.
5. Tighten the knob to secure.

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6. There is a large hole in the sliding section of
the arm. Slide the arm onto the pillar through
the hole. The knob should be closer to the
bottom than the top.
7. The knob on the arm controls the horizontal
movement of the arm. It swings around 360°.
Loosen the knob to adjust. Tighten the knob to
secure.
8. The lever on the arm controls the
horizontal movement of the arm
along the boom. Loosen the knob
to adjust. Tighten the knob to
secure.
2.2.2 Assemble the Focusing Rack
1. Remove the focusing rack pillar from the box.
2. Remove the lock knob.

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3. Put the focusing rack pillar into the horizontal
rack.
4. Unscrew and remove the ridged screw cap
from the focusing rack pillar.
5. Slide the focusing rack up the focusing rack
pillar to the top.
6. Screw the ridged cap back on the focusing
rack pillar to secure. Make sure to tighten
securely.
7. The knob on the back of the focusing
rack controls the horizontal movement
of the focusing rack. Loosen the knob to
adjust. Tighten the knob to secure.

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8. There is a hole on the focusing rack near
the connection to the arm. The hole is for
a lever to control the vertical circular
movement of the focusing rack. To install
the lever, find the two small bolts and
lever from the package.
9. Look for the ridge on the side of the bolt
and insert the bolts into the holes so the
ridges fit over the screws in the hole.
10.Put your hand on the bolt on the far side
so it doesn‟t pop out and screw the lever
into the bolts. Loosen the lever to adjust.
Tighten the lever to secure.
11.Put the microscope head into the focusing
rack and tighten the head lock screw.

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2.2.3 Inserting Eyepieces
1. Remove the eyetube caps.
2. Place the desired eyepieces into
the empty eye/ocular tubes.
3. Be sure to avoid touching the
lenses.
2.2.4 Removing the Objective Lens Housing Cap
Remove the cap from the objective
lens housing. Be careful just to
unscrew the cap at the bottom. Do
not unscrew the objective lens
housing.

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2.2.6 Attaching a Ring Light (Optional Accessory)
Ring lights are a recommended
accessory and are purchased
separately.
1. Loosen the screws on the ring light.
The ring light may be black or white
depending on the model.
1. Screw the ring light adapter into the
bottom of the objective lens
housing.
2. Adjust the screws on the ring light.
3. Securely mount the ring light onto
the adapter.
4. Turn it on and adjust the light.
2.3 Setting up the Specimen
Place the specimen on a flat surface beneath the head of the microscope.

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2.4 Focusing
AmScope‟s SM series microscopes have continuous zoom magnification power
allowing you to change magnification through a range, instead of at fixed stops.
2.4.1 Adjusting the Focusing Rack, Coarsely.
Loosen the lock-screw located
behind the pillar stand.
Move the entire focusing rack
down as far as possible. Move
the rack back up until the
working distance is roughly 4”.
Working Distance is the term
for the distance between the
bottom of the objective lens
and the top of the specimen.
Tighten the focusing rack lock knob to fix the final position.
2.4.2 Adjusting the Focusing Rack, Finely.
When first using the microscope,
remove any Barlow lens.
Adjust the magnification knob to the
lowest setting (0.7X)
Move the microscope‟s focusing knobs
to adjust the height of the unit until at
approximately 4 inches (101mm) away
from the specimen. This should bring
the microscope in focus at 7x.
2.4.3 Parfocal
Under the diopter on the eyetube,
there is a silver ring. The diopter must
be set to just above the ring, so the
image will remain in focus for the
entire magnification range. So, if you
adjust the diopters properly, you will
stay more in focus when you add a
camera or switch objective lenses.

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2.4.4 Focus Each Eye Individually
Focus each eye separately to accommodate individual vision, you
should not need your glasses when using the microscope. Some
models have diopters on both eyepieces. Some models have a diopter
on only one eyepiece.
If you only have one diopter, focus the eyepiece with the diopter
second. If you have diopters on both eyepieces, the order doesn‟t
matter. Adjust the first eyepiece with the focusing knobs and the
second with the diopter. Then you can adjust the diopter on the first
eyepiece, if necessary.
1. Look with one eye through the
eyepiece without the diopter.
Or, if you have two diopters,
select either eyepiece.
2. Close your other eye.
3. Focus the image using the
focusing knobs.
Focus with the diopter.
1. Close the first eye. Open the
other one.
2. Look with the second eye
through the eyepiece with the
diopter.
3. Turn the diopter until the image
is clear. Do not turn the
focusing knob when you are
adjusting the diopter or you will
have difficulty focusing properly.

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2.4.5 Focusing the distance between your eyes.
(The interpupillary distance, the distance between your eye pupils.)
With both eyes open, look into the eyepieces. Adjust the interpupillary
distance by holding the eyetubes and rotating the tubes either towards or
away from each other until only one circle of light is seen by both eyes.
2.4.6 Using a Barlow Lens.
The SM-4 series microscopes have a standard working distance of 4”
(101.6mm). Barlow lenses increase or decrease working distance and
magnification to achieve the desired field of view. These lenses screw
directly onto the objective lens housing.
The SM series microscopes have two standard Barlow Lens options,
the 0.5X and the 2.0X.
The 0.5X Barlow Lens will cut magnification in half,
down to a minimum of 2.0X. The 0.5X Barlow Lens can
have a maximum working distance of 7 inches
(177.8mm).
The 2.0X Barlow Lens doubles magnification and cuts the
working distance down to 1.5 inches (38.1mm).
In practical terms, if you are looking at a coin, you might see the entire coin
with a 0.5X Barlow Lens and a small section of the coin and great detail with
the 2.0X Barlow Lens.

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To install a Barlow Lens, first remove the adapter
and light ring from the bottom of the objective lens
housing, if you are using a ring light.
Screw a Barlow Lens into the bottom of the
objective lens housing.
If you are using a ring light and the
0.5 Barlow Lens, screw the light
ring adapter into the Barlow Lens
and the ring light into the adapter.
The decreased magnification
requires a greater working distance,
so you will need to raise the
focusing rack.
If you are using a ring light and the
2.0 Barlow Lens, the mounting
adapter for the ring light is built into
the lens, so the ring light adapter
isn‟t needed. The increased
magnification requires a shorter
working distance, so you will need
to lower the focusing rack.

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2.5 Attaching a Camera
2.5.1 Binocular Head
1. Remove the eyepiece from the
microscope head.
2. Place the 30mm adapter into the
eyetube.
3. Place the camera into the adapter and
eyetube.
4. Plug one end of the cord into the
camera and the USB end into your
computer.
5. Open up your AmScope Digital Camera
Solution software on your computer
and let it connect to your microscope.
2.5.2 Trinocular Head
The AmScope SM-4T models are uniquely designed so that you can
view the image through the eyepieces and the trinocular port without
removing the camera or using your eyepiece, turning the microscope
into a digital microscope.
This feature allows the images through the microscope‟s eyepieces,
and those displayed on your computer screen or television be viewed
at the same time (you may have a different field of view between the
camera and the eyepieces). Our photo port is a 23mm size.
Remove the photo port cap from the top of the
trinocular port.
Pull the trinocular shutter control lever. This
lever changes the view from the trinocular port
to the left eyetube. Pull it out for trinocular
viewing, push it in for binocular viewing.
Do not turn or unscrew the lever, as that will
remove it, just push or pull.

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1. Place the camera directly into the trinocular
port.
2. Plug one end of the cord into the camera
and the USB end into your computer.
3. To focus through the trinocular port, turn
middle portion of the tube.
4. Open up your AmScope Digital Camera
Solution software on your computer and let
it connect to your microscope.
To focus through the trinocular port (simul-focal models only), simply turn
middle portion of the tube, after focusing the eyepieces. If you have
difficultly focusing them at the same time, adjust the diopter as described
in section 2.4.4.
2.6 Adjusting Focus Tension To adjust the tension of the
focusing knobs, look for the
focusing knob marked “Tension”.
Find the matching focusing knob
on the other side of the focusing
rack. Always turn the focusing
knobs in opposite directions. If you
are turning one clockwise, turn the
other one counterclockwise.
To tighten tension, turn the focusing knob
marked tension clockwise and the other
focusing knob counterclockwise.
To loosen tension, turn the focusing knob
marked tension counterclockwise and the
other focusing knob clockwise.
Be careful not to loosen the tension too much
or the focusing rack will not stay in place.
Make sure the tension is tight enough to
support the head and any accessories you
may add.

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2.7 Maintenance
2.7.1 No Sun/Heat
Do not place the microscope in direct sunlight or in high heat.
Keep the microscope indoors in a dry and clean place with
temperatures between 32°-100°F (0°-40°C), maximum
relative humidity: 85%.
2.7.2 No Dust
Always keep the microscope covered by the dust cover
when not in use. The glass will attract dust, obscuring your
view. Make sure to keep it in a dry and clean place in order
to prevent rust.
2.7.3 Keep Glass Clean
All glass surfaces must always be kept clean.
Oil and dirt from your fingerprints will obstruct your view.
Fine dust on the optical surface should be blown off using a hand
blower or gently wiped off with a soft lens tissue.
2.7.4 Use an optical lens cleaner
Carefully wipe off oil or fingerprints on lens surfaces using a tissue
moistened with a small amount of 3:7 alcohol to ether mixture.
2.7.5 Do not use lens cleaner on the non-glass parts of the microscope.
Do not use the optical lens cleaning solution to wipe the surfaces of the
other components of the microscope.
All other parts, especially those made of plastic, should be cleaned with
a mild detergent.
2.7.6 Do not touch the glass.
Avoid touching the lenses on the objective and the eyepiece.
2.7.7 Do not take apart the microscope.
Do not assemble or disassemble the microscope‟s electrical
components yourself.

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3. Specifications
3.1 General Model Specifications
Head: 45 degree inclined 360 degree swiveling Trinocular
Eyepieces: 30mm super widefield high-eyepoint WF10X/20
Objective: 0.7-4.5X
Zoom Range: 6.5:1
Maximum Field of View: 1-1/4" (33mm)
Minimum Field of View: 3/16" (4.75mm)
Diopter Adjustment: +/-5dp
Interpupillary Distance: 2-3/16" - 2-15/16"(55-75mm)
Working Distance: 4" (100mm)
Boom Stand: 20" double-arm (overall length: 30"), 17" high pillar, 10-
1/4"x8-1/4"x2-0" solid cast steel base