AmScope SM-8 Series User manual

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User’s Manual

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Contents
Before Use..........................................................................................3
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 3
Safety Precautions ................................................................................................... 4
Parts .............................................................................................. 5
SM-8B/T .............................................................................................................. 5
Definition of Parts ............................................................................................... 6
Getting Started ............................................................................ 8
Assem ly .................................................................................................................. 8
Operation .................................................................................... 9
Setting Up ................................................................................................................... 9
Focusing ................................................................................................................... 9
Using the Trinocular Port ................................................................................. 10
Attaching a Camera ........................................................................................... 10
Adjusting Focusing Tension ........................................................................... 11
Maintenance/Precautions ..................................................................................... 11
Specifications.............................................................................. 12
SM-8 Series Specifications ................................................................................... 12
Optional Accessories ............................................................................................. 13
Technical Terms & Concepts .......................................................................... 14
Troubleshooting........................................................................ 15
Common Issues (Optical) .................................................................................. 15
Common Issues (Mechanical) ........................................................................... 16

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Before
Use
Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of your new AmScope microscope!
This manual is designed for the SM-8 series microscopes (SM-8B, SM-8T, 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 mi-
croscope.
If you’d like more information on microscopes, parts, or accessories, please visit our website at:
www.iScopeCorp.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]

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Before
Use
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
SM-8B/T
Eyepieces
Ocular Tubes
Interpupillary
Adjusters
Focusing Rack
Articulating Table Clamp Stand
Magnification
Knob
Objective
Focusing Knob
Locking Mechanism

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Parts
Definition of Parts
AdjustableTrinocularPort
Threaded port with adjusta le length of attachment of digital or video camera
Boom Stand
Stand for the microscope that allows the head to e moved in physical space in various directions
Continuous Zoom
A microscope head with a kno to change magnification through a range
Dimmer
Controls the amount of light that escapes from the illumination source
Diopter
Allows the focus to e perfected for oth eyes, independent of each other
Fixed Power
Microscope head whose o jectives are pre-set at certain levels and changed y rotating the o jective
FocusingKnob
Used to move the microscope head vertically to ring 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

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Parts
Magnification Knob
Changes the magnification of the lenses on a continuous zoom microscope
Microscope Head
Contains the o jective lens, eyepiece ocular tu es, and prisms used to magnify
Ocular Tube
Tu e designed to hold the eyepieces or camera in place
Ring Light
An illuminator that mounts directly onto the o jective to emit even light on the sample elow
Simul-FocalMicroscopeHead
Head containing a focus adjustment for a trinocular port camera to simulatneously to match the eyepieces
Table Stand
A stand which sits on the ta le and holds the head directly a ove the sample without moving

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Getting
Started
Assembly
1. First, take the styrofoam container out of the cardboard carton, 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 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. 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). Use the protective collar to as a second safety to prevent the arm from sliding down.
4. The articulating arm must be assembled before mounting the microscope. This is done easiest by attaching the
clamp to the table, then piece by piece inserting and securing the arm’s components to each other.
4. After mounting the focusing rack to the base and securing it on the vertical drop down bar, slide the head and
objective of the microscope into the hole and secure with included head lock screw.
5. For the SM-6T models, screw the photo port onto the top of the microscope head (trinocular C-mount port).
6. 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.
7. Remove the cap from the objective lens.
8. Plug in the microscope and turn it on if a light source is included (or refer to your specific light source in-
structions for mounting/turning on if an external source). If no light emerges from the light source, adjust the
dimmer knob near the power switch.
9. An external light source is needed for this model microscope (such as a ring light or gooseneck illuminator).

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Operation
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 objec-
tive 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.
The SM microscope has two options available--the 0.5x and the 2.0x. The 0.5x will cut magnification in half down
to a minimum of 3.5x (and double working distance to approximately 8 inches or 203mm), while the 2.0x will
double your magnification (but half the working distance, down to 3/32 of an inch or 2.4mm).

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Using the Trinocular Port
The AmScope SM-8T model is uniquely designed so that you can view the image through the eyepieces and the
trinocular port without removing the camera or using your eyepiece.
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 (although unless using 20x eyepieces to match your camera, the image
may differ in magnification). You do not need an adapter to attach your AmScope camera to the trinocular port,
however you may need one if you have a non-AmScope camera. Our photo port is a 23mm size.
If using a simul-focal microscope head (one with a focusing adjustment on the third port), then you can use the
middle portion to focus the camera. This allows the camera to be in focus even if the magnifications between the
eyepieces and the camera are different. The SM-8T models do not come standard with a simul-focal feature.
Attaching a Camera
1. If your microscope has a C-mount, you can simply screw the camera onto the trinocular port.
2. If your camera has a 23mm mounting size, remove the C-mount cap (if present) from the top of the trinocular
port by loosening the screw. Then, drop the camera with reduction lens directly into the trinocular port. It should
slide in without issue.
3. To focus through the trinocular port (simul-focal models only), simply turn middle portion of the tube. Other-
wise, you will need to focus it individually using the microscope’s focusing mechanisms.

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Adjusting Focusing Tension
1. To adjust the tension of the focusing knobs, grab both sides of the focusing knob and twist them opposite of
each other.
2. To decrease tension, rotate in the opposite direction. Typically, adding tension is done by rotating the right knob
clockwise and the left counterclockwise, so the opposite would hold true if releasing tension (if it is too hard to
adjust the focal height, for example).
Note: If your focusing rack/head is slipping down, you need to increase the tension.
Maintenance/Precautions
- All glass surfaces must be kept clean. Fine dust on the optical surface should be blown off using a hand blower or
gently wiped off with a soft lens paper tissue/nonabrasive lint free cloth.
- Carefully wipe off oil or fingerprints on the lens surfaces using tissue moistened with a small amount of lens
cleaner (we recommend Sparkle brand optical cleaner).
- Do not use Sparkle to clean other elements of the microscope. Use a neutral detergent on any plastic or painted
surfaces.
- Do not assemble or disassemble the microscope’s electrical components yourself without advisement from one of
our technicians. Doing so will void your warranty unless by advisement of one of our technicians to do so.
- After use, cover the microscope with the provided dust cover.
- Keep your AmScope microscope in a dry, clean location in order to prevent rust or other damages.

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Specifications
SM-8 Series Specifications
• Head: 45-degree inclined, 360-degree swiveling trinocular
• Eyepieces: 30mm super widefield high-eyepoint WH10X/20
• Barlow Lens: 0.5X and 2.0X
• Objective: 0.7-4.5X
• Zoom Range: 26:1
• Diopter Adjustment: +/-5dp
• Interpupillary Distance: 2-3/16" - 2-15/16" (55-75mm)
• Working Distance: 8" (200mm)
• Accessories: eye-guards

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Specifications
Optional Accessories
Parts Description Model # Purpose
Eyepieces 20x EP20X30 For obtaining higher magnification powers
25x EP25X30 For obtaining higher magnification powers
10x w/ Pointer EP10X30P For easier identifying of objects
10x w/ Reticle EP10X30R For measuring objects
Barlow (Auxiliary
Lens)
0.5X SM05 For halfing the magnification (and doubling work-
ing distance)
2.0X SM20 For doubling the magnification (and halfing the
working distance)
Camera CMOSDigital MU035 (350k)
MU130 (1.3mp)
MU300 (3mp)
MU500 (5mp)
MU800 (8mp)
MU900 (9mp)
MU1000 (10mp)
To capture images, video, or view live display on a
computer (PC/Mac OS X)
Calibration Micrometer MR400 To calibrate the camera software for on screen
measurements
CCD Digital (VGA, Trinocular
Only)
CCD-MT To view live display on a computer monitor (VGA)
CCD TV/Video (Trinocular
Only)
CCD-NP To view live display on a television (RCA)
Stands Single Arm SAW Single arm boom stand for larger samples
Double Arm DAW Double arm boom stand for larger samples
Ball Bearing BBB Ball bearing boom stand for ease of motion
Articulating Arm w/ Clamp ASC Articulating arm for maximum freedom of move-
ment with clamp for maximum work space area
Articulating Arm w/ Stand ASB Articulating arm for maximum freedom of move-
ment with table stand for flexibility
Super Large Flat Stand TS100-FR Flat stand and focusing rack for X-Y table use or
dissection
Dual LED Pillar Stand TS130-LED Top and bottom lit table stand with pillar design
Dual LED Track Stand TS130R-LED Top and bottom lit table stand with track design

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Parameters
Technical Terms & Concepts
TotalMagnification
Total magnification of a microscope is calculated y the magnification of the o jective multiplied y the mag-
nification of the eyepieces.
-Ex: (10x Eyepieces) x (4x Objective) = 40x Total Magnification
Field of View
Linear field of view of the eyepiece divided y the magnification of the o jective
Numerical Aperture (N.A)
Calculated y n Sin α (max), the Numerical Aperture (N.A) is an important parameter that marks the
features of the o jective and condenser’s image quality and resolution. The “n” is a refractive index of the medium
(air or immersion cedar oil) etween the o jective lens and the specimen. The “α” is 1/2 of the angle etween the
aperture on the o jective and path of light. The larger the N.A, the higher the resolution of the o jective (and etter
quality of the image) is.
Object to Primary Image Distance
The distance etween the o ject plane and the primary image plane. The conjugate distance is fixed.
Mechanical Tube Length
The distance etween the o jective shoulder and the ocular shoulder.
Infinity
Infinity is an optic lens system that allows the entire field of view to e in focus at the same time, allowing for
higher quality images to e displayed through the microscope. The focal distance is set to infinity etween the o jective
and the eyepiece prism, also allowing filters to e inserted into the system more easily due to the parallel path of light,
rather than focusing on a specific point.

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roubleshooting
Common Issues (Optical)
Symptom Cause Remedy
OPTICAL ISSUES
Obstructions are
observed in the field
of view
Stains, dust, or dirt has accumulated on the speci-
men
Clean the slide or use a new specimen if sample is
destroyed
Stains, dust, or dirt have accumulated on the
lenses
Clean the objective and eyepiece lenses
UnclearImage Stain or dust has accumulated on the lens in the
inlet of the head
Clean the lens with lens cleaner or a nonabrasive
lint free cloth, as well as spray with compressed air
The microscope head is not in the right position
to be focused
Adjust the height of the microscope with the focus-
ing knob on the focusing rack until image appears
in focus. Note: Higher magnification will require
the head to move closer, while lower will require
more distance between the sample and the lens.
One side of the field
of view is dark or the
image moves while
focusing
The specimen is not fixed Secure the slide to the stage with clips or another
manner so that the sample does not move
The field of view is not
bright enough
The light source is not present A light source must be used with this model micro-
scope to view a sample (ring light, built in illumina-
tor, or gooseneck illuminator)
The light source is too dim The light source used is not bright enough, or is set
to too low of an intensity setting. Adjust setting to a
higher or change light sources
Stains, dust, or dirt has accumulated on the con-
denser, objective, eyepieces, or base lens
Thoroughly clean tall lenses with lens cleaner or a
lint free nonabrasive cloth

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roubleshooting
Common Issues (Mechanical)
Symptom Cause Remedy
MECHANICALISSUES
Focus knob does not turn The tension knob is too tight Loosen it by adjusting the tension by grabbing both knobs on the
focusing rack and twisting them in opposite directions.
Stage declines by itself The tension knob is too lose Loosen it by adjusting the tension by grabbing both knobs on the
focusing rack and twisting them in opposite directions.
The focusing knob won’t
raise/lower the head
The focusing rack has reached the max travel distance in either
direction
Move the focusing rack higher or lower on the pillar if using a
stand with a pillar