Cole Parmer MSS-400 Series User manual

Installation and Operating Instructions
MSS-400 Series Professional Trinocular
Stereozoom Microscopes
Models 78904-48, -51, -54, -57, -60, -63

Contents
Introduction
With your purchase of a Cole-Parmer MSS-400 Series microscope you have chosen a quality product. The MSS-400
Series stereomicroscopes are developed for professional industrial purposes, scientic research and education
because of the excellent optical and mechanical properties, while very attractively priced.
The stereomicroscope consists of two separate microscope tubes which are combined as a unit, in order to focus
them simultaneously on the object. Each tube has prisms, plan achromatic objectives and a wideeld eyepiece in
order to obtain a large, at eld of view. Both eyes are looking at the object under a dierent angle to reach a deep
stereoscopic image. The maintenance requirement is minimal when using the microscope in a proper manner.
This manual describes the construction of the microscope, how to use the microscope and its maintenance.
Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 2
General safety instructions ______________________________________________________ 3
Dangers associated with the operation _________________________________________________________ 3
Photobiological safety LED, important safety instructions _________________________________________ 3
Prevention of biological and infectious hazards __________________________________________________ 3
Disinfection and decontamination: ____________________________________________________________ 4
Environment, storage and use _________________________________________________________________ 5
Models _______________________________________________________________________ 5
Components of the stereomicroscope ____________________________________________6
Eyepieces___________________________________________________________________________________ 7
Head ______________________________________________________________________________________ 7
Objectives __________________________________________________________________________________ 7
Object stage ________________________________________________________________________________ 7
Focusing ___________________________________________________________________________________ 7
Magnication adjustment_____________________________________________________________________ 7
Illumination_________________________________________________________________________________ 7
Stand assemblies (models 78904-54, -57, -63) ___________________________________8–10
Preparing the stereomicroscope for use __________________________________________ 11
Assembling steps _____________________________________________________________ 11
Mounting the head__________________________________________________________________________ 11
Placing the eyepieces________________________________________________________________________ 11
Connecting the microscope __________________________________________________________________ 11
Working with the stereomicroscope _____________________________________________ 11
The interpupillary distance___________________________________________________________________ 11
The correct eyepoint ________________________________________________________________________ 11
How to set up a stereomicroscope _______________________________________________ 12
Photo and video_______________________________________________________________13
Trinocular models___________________________________________________________________________ 13
Maintenance and cleaning _____________________________________________________14
Cleaning the optics _________________________________________________________________________ 14
Maintenance of the stand ____________________________________________________________________ 14
Replacing the fuse __________________________________________________________________________ 14
Accessories and spare parts_____________________________________________________14
Warranty _____________________________________________________________________ 14
Notes ________________________________________________________________________ 15
2

General safety instructions
Intended use: A non-medical device
This microscope is intended for general observation of cells and tissues, with transmitted/reected illumination and
with the specimen xed on a slide.
Dangers associated with the operation
• Improper use could result in injury, malfunction or damage to property. It must be ensured that the operator
informs every user of existing hazards
• Danger of electrocution. Disconnect the power to the entire lighting system before installing, adding or
changing any component
• Not to be used in corrosive or explosive environments
• Avoid direct exposure of eyes to the collimated light beam or direct light from the light guides or bers
• To avoid a hazard to children, account for all parts and keep all packing materials in a safe place
Photobiological safety LED, important safety instructions
• Avoid direct eye exposure to any LED light source while switched on
• Before looking through the eyepieces of the microscope, lower the intensity of the LED illumination
• Avoid long and high-intensity exposure to LED light because this may cause acute damage to the retina of the eye
Prevention of biological and infectious hazards
Infectious, bacterial or viral biohazard substances under observation may be a risk to the health of humans and other
living organisms. Special precautions should be taken during in vitro medical procedures:
• Biological hazards: Keep a logbook of all the biological substances or pathogenic microorganisms that were
under observation with the microscope and show it to everybody before they use the microscope or before
they do some maintenance work on the microscope! Agents can be bacterial, spores, enveloped or non-
enveloped virus particles, fungi or protozoa
• Contamination hazard:
• A sample that is properly enclosed with a cover glass never comes in direct contact with the microscope
parts. In that case prevention of contamination lies in the handling of the slides; as long as the slides
are decontaminated before use and are undamaged and treated normally, there is virtually zero risk of
contamination
• A sample that is mounted on a slide without cover glass, can come in contact with components of the
microscope and may be a hazard to humans and/or the environment. Therefore, check the microscope and
accessories on possible contaminations. Clean the microscope surfaces and its components as thoroughly
as possible. Should you identify a possible contamination, inform the local responsible person in your
organization
• Microscope operators could be contaminated from other activities and cross-contaminate components
of the microscope. Therefore, check the microscope and accessories on possible contaminations. Clean
the microscope surfaces and its components as thoroughly as possible. Should you identify a possible
contamination, inform the local responsible person in your organization. it is recommended to wear sterile
gloves when preparing the slides and handling the microscope in order to reduce contamination by the
operator
• Infection hazard: Direct contact with the focusing knobs, stage adjustments, stage and eyepieces/tubes of
the microscope can be a potential source of bacterial and/or viral infections. The risk can be limited by using
personal eyeshades or eyepieces. You can also use personal protections such as operation gloves and/or safety
goggles, which should be changed frequently to minimize the risk
• Disinfectant hazards: Before cleaning or disinfecting, check if the room is adequately ventilated. If not, wear
respiratory protective gear. Exposure to chemicals and aerosols can harm human eyes, skin and respiratory
system. Do not inhale vapours. During disinfection, do not eat, drink or smoke. Used disinfectants must be
disposed of according to local or national regulations for health and safety
3

Disinfection and decontamination:
• Exterior casing and mechanical surfaces must be wiped with a clean cloth, dampened with a disinfectant
• Soft plastic parts and rubber surfaces can be cleaned by gently wiping a clean cloth, dampened with a
disinfectant. Discoloration can occur if alcohol is used
• The front lens of eyepieces and objectives are sensitive to chemicals. We recommend not to use aggressive
disinfectants but to use lens paper or a soft ber-free tissue, damped in cleaning solution. Cotton swabs may
also be used. We recommend you use personal eyepieces without eyeshades in order to minimize risk
• Never immerse or dip the eyepiece or objective into a disinfectant liquid! This will damage the component
• Never use abrasive compounds or cleaners that may damage and scratch optical coatings
• Properly clean and disinfect all possible contaminated surfaces of the microscope or contaminated accessories
before storing for future use. Disinfection procedures must be eective and appropriate
• Leave the disinfectant on the surface for the required exposure time, as specied by the manufacturer. If the
disinfectant evaporates before the full exposure time, reapply disinfectant on the surface
• Against bacteria, use a 70% aqueous solution of isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) and apply for at least 30
seconds. Against viruses, we recommend to refer to specic alcohol or non-alcohol based disinfection products
for laboratories
Before returning a microscope for repair or maintenance through a Cole-Parmer dealer, an RMA (return authorization
form) together with a decontamination statement must be lled in! This document must be shipped together with the
microscope at all times
Handle with care
• This product is a high quality optical instrument. Delicate handling is required
• Avoid subjecting it to sudden shocks and impacts
• Impacts, even small ones, can aect the precision of the instrument
Handling the LED
Note: Always disconnect the power cord from your microscope before handling the LED bulb and power unit and
allow the system to cool down approximately 35 minutes to avoid burns
• Never touch the LED with your bare hands
• Dirt or ngerprints will reduce the life span and can result in uneven illumination, lowering the optical
performance
• Use only original MSS-400 Series replacement LEDs
• The use of other products may cause malfunctions and will void warranty
• During use of the microscope the power unit will get hot; never touch it while in operation and allow the system
to cool down approximately 35 minutes to avoid burns
Dirt on the lenses
• Dirt on or inside the optical components, such as eyepieces, lenses, etc., aects the image quality of your system
negatively
• Always try to prevent your microscope from getting dirty by using the dust cover, prevent leaving ngerprints
on the lenses and clean the outer surface of the lens regularly
• Cleaning optical components is a delicate matter. Please, read the cleaning instructions further on in this
manual
4

Model Type Magnication Working distance Stand Illumination Power Weight
78904-48 Trinocular 0.65 to 5.5x 110 mm Rack & pinion Incident (3 W LED);
transmitted (3 W LED)
100–240 VAC,
50/60 Hz 11.7 lb (5.3 kg)
78904-51 Trinocular 0.65 to 5.5x 110 m m Pillar Incident (3 W LED);
transmitted (3 W LED)
100–240 VAC,
50/60 Hz 11.5 lb (5.2 kg)
78904-54 Trinocular 0.65 to 5.5x 110 m m Double-arm
boom stand
Incident (3 W LED);
transmitted (3 W LED)
100–240 VAC,
50/60 Hz 48.9 lb (22.2 kg)
78904-57 Trinocular 0.65 to 5.5x 110 mm Single-arm
universal stand
Incident (3 W LED);
transmitted (3 W LED)
100–240 VAC,
50/60 Hz 34.6 lb (15.7kg)
78904-60 Trinocular 0.65 to 5.5x 110 mm Pillar
Incident (3 W LED);
transmitted (3 W LED)
with rotating mirror
100–240 VAC,
50/60 Hz 11.2 lb (5.1 kg)
78904-63 Trinocular 0.65 to 5.5x 110 m m Pillar with dual
exible arms
Incident on dual
exible arms (3 W LED);
transmitted (3 W LED)
100–240 VAC,
50/60 Hz 11.7 lb (5.3 kg)
Environment, storage and use
• Maximum altitude: 2000 m
• Pollution degree: 2
• This product is a precision instrument and it should be used in a proper environment for optimal use
• Install your product indoors on a stable, vibration free and level surface in order to prevent this instrument to
fall thereby harming the operator
• Do not place the product in direct sunlight
• The ambient temperature should be between 5 to +40°C and humidity should be within 20 to 80% RH
• Although the system is anti-mold treated, installing this product in a hot, humid location may still result in the
formation of mold or condensation on lenses, impairing performance or causing malfunctions
• Never turn the right and left focus knobs in opposite directions at the same time or turn the coarse focus knob
past its farthest point as this will damage this product
• Never use undue force when turning the knobs
• Make sure that the microscope system can dissipate its heat (re hazard)
• Keep the microscope away from walls and obstructions for at least approximately 15 cm
• Never turn the microscope on when the dust cover is in place or when items are placed on the microscope
• Keep ammable uids, fabric, etc. well out of the way
Disconnect power
Always disconnect your microscope from power before doing any maintenance, cleaning, assembling or replacing
LEDs to prevent electric shocks
Prevent contact with water and other uids
Never allow water or other uids to come in contact with your microscope, this can cause short circuiting your device,
causing malfunction and damage to your system
Moving and assembling
• This microscope is a relatively heavy system, consider this when moving and installing the system
• Always lift the microscope by holding the main body and base of the microscope
• Never lift or move the microscope by its focusing knobs, stage or head
• When needed, move the microscope with two persons instead of one
Models
The MSS-400 Series is available in several dierent models, with a choice of stands and illuminations.
The MSS-400 Series microscopes are equipped with 45° inclined tubes, two zoom objectives and a pair of
wide eld WF 10x/23 eyepieces.
5

A
B
D
E
C
F
G
H
I
K
J
L
M
N
O
Components of the stereomicroscope
The names of the individual parts are listed below and are indicated in the picture:
AEyepiece/s I Stand (rack & pinion version)
B Diopter adjustment JZoom adjustment knobs
C Head xation screw K Focusing knobs (only one is visible)
D Objective cover L Incident illumination
E Brightness adjustment for transmitted illumination M Brightness adjustment for incident illumination
FStand base NObject clips
G Object plate with transmitted illumination below it O On/O switch
H Photo tube (or third tube) port
The stereomicroscope consists of a stand with holder/focusing system, in which the stereo head is placed and locked
with a xation screw (C).
6

Eyepieces
The MSS-400 Series is supplied with a pair of HWF 10x/23 mm eyepieces.
Head
Trinocular heads with 45° inclined tubes, which are rotatable over 360°. Both eyepieces have a ± 5 diopter adjustment
(B). Interpupillary distance adjustable between 54 mm and 75 mm. Trinocular head is supplied with a xed light path
beam splitter (50:50).
Objectives
The MSS-400 Series is supplied with a 1:8.4 zoom objective with 0.65x to 5.5x magnications, a eld of view from
35.4 mm to 4.2 mm. Working distance 110 mm.
Object stage
The rack-and-pinion stands and the pillar stands are equipped with an object stage with a semi-transparent stage
plate (G) and two object clips (N). The boom and universal stands are not equipped with such stage.
Focusing
With the two coarse focusing knobs (K) the object can be sharply focused. Head holder with coaxial course & ne
focusing knobs also available as an option.
Magnication adjustment
The MSS-400 Series stereomicroscopes are equipped with two plan achromatic zoom objectives. By using the zoom
knobs (J), the magnication can be adjusted in a smooth, stepless way. This series is equipped with click-stops.
MSS-400 Series
Eyepieces Zoom indication Magnication
10x 0.65x 6.5x
10x 1x 10x
10x 1.5x 15x
10x 2x 20x
10x 2.5x 25x
10x 3x 30x
10x 3.5x 35x
10x 4x 40x
10x 4.5x 45x
10x 5x 50x
10x 5.5x 55x
Illumination
The stands of the 78904-48, 78904-51, 78904-63 and 78904-60 models are equipped with transmitted and incident
3 W LED illumination. The incident illumination of the 78904-63 model features two exible gooseneck arms whereas
the transmitted illumination of the 78904-60 model is used in combination with a rotating mirror. The illuminators can
be used simultaneously, and their brightness can be adjusted using (E) and (M) wheels.
7

Boom Stand Assembly (Model 78904-54)
6
3
5
7
8
2
1
4
8

Universal Stand Assembly (Model 78904-57)
6
4
3
5
7
2
1
9

Dual Flexible Arm Stand Assembly (Model 78904-63)
1
23
10

Preparing the stereomicroscope for use
Carefully remove the items from its packaging and place them on a at, rm
surface. Please do not expose the stereomicroscope to direct sun light, high
temperatures, damp, dust or acute shake. Make sure the table or surface is at
and horizontal. When moving the stereomicroscope, use one hand to hold
the pillar or column and the other hand to hold the base
Caution!
Holding the stereomicroscope by its focusing knobs
will damage it
Caution! If the bacterial solution or water splatters over the stage
plate, objective or head, pull out the power cord immediately and
dry the microscope
Assembling steps
Mounting the head
Remove the microscope head from its packaging and mount it on the microscope head holder. To do so, loose the
head xation screw (C) so that the head can be inserted all the way into the head holder. Once the head is in place,
tighten the head xation screw again. The photo tube of the trinocular versions is packed in the lid of the foam
packing. Take it out and screw it into the photo tube port (H)
Placing the eyepieces
Unpack the two eyepieces (A) and remove their dust covers. Then
remove the dust covers of the eyepiece tubes and insert the two
eyepieces into the tubes (the eyepieces should be pushed all the
way down, touching the tubes). The eyepieces can be secured with
a hexagon type screw. The exact location of the hexagon screw may
dier. Each eyepiece has its rubber eyeshade. This prevents damage to
the lens and prevents stray light. The eyeshade can simply be slipped
over the eyepiece
Connecting the microscope
Connect the power cable to the mains supply and switch on the
microscope using the On/O switch (O). Do not bend or twist the
power cord as damage may occur. Use the power cord supplied with
the unit. If the cord requires replacement, ensure that it is suitably
rated. If in doubt consult your local dealer or qualied electrician.
Working with the stereomicroscope
The interpupillary distance
In order to obtain a smooth “compound” image, follow these steps.
The correct interpupillary distance is reached when one round image is seen in the eld of view (see image at right).
This distance can be set by either pulling the tubes towards each other or pulling them from each other. This distance
is dierent for each observer and thus should be set individually. If several users are working with the microscope it is
recommended to remember your interpupillary distance for a quick
set up during new microscopy sessions
The correct eyepoint
The eyepoint is the distance from the eyepiece to the user’s
pupil. To obtain the correct eyepoint, move the eyes towards the
eyepieces until a sharp image is reached at a full eld of view Field of view
before adjustment
Field of view
after adjustment
11

How to set up a stereomicroscope
Setting up your stereomicroscope properly is essential to getting parfocal images during the entire zoom range. It also
prevents headaches, stressful eyes and fatigue. Below is a setup guide to get the best out of your microscope.
Turn the diopter adjustment rings
of both eyepieces to position “0”
Put a specimen on the stage plate Turn the zoom adjustment knob to
the lowest magnication
Rotate the focusing knob
to bring the specimen into focus
Turn the zoom adjustment knob
to the highest magnication
Rotate the focusing knob to
bring the specimen into focus
Turn the zoom adjustment knob
to the lowest magnication
Rotate the diopter adjustment rings of
the left and right eyepiece to bring the
specimen into focus
Please note:
Put the zoom adjustment knob
at the highest magnication again
and check the image focusing. The
diopter adjustment is complete
when the image is accurately
focused during zooming. If not,
please repeat steps 3 to 8
12

D
C
A
B
Photo and video
Trinocular models
• For trinocular models using the standard supplied trinocular tube, slide the camera with mounted C-mount
adapter into the 23.2 mm tube of the photo port. For focusing, loosen the ring (A) and slowly unscrew the tube
(B) you will be able to match parfocality of the camera with the view through the eyepieces. Adjustment can
be made by raising/lowering the height of the camera (C). Take an easy-to-view specimen and focus the image
through the microscope’s eyepieces (with dioptre adjustment set on “0”). Afterwards, perform this height
adjustment procedure while watching the image on the computer screen. In this case, once you have obtained
parfocality in the device, screw the ring (A) back
• When using one of the optional C-mount adapters, turn ring (D) to focus
Follow the manual that comes with the camera for camera operation
13

Maintenance and cleaning
Always place the dust cover over your MSS-400 Series microscope after use. Always keep the eyepieces mounted on
the microscope to avoid dust entering the instrument
Cleaning the optics
When the eyepiece lenses are dirty, they can be cleaned by wiping a piece of lens paper over the surface (circular
movements). If this does not help put a drop of alcohol on the lens paper and wipe it. Never put Isopropyl or alcohol
directly on the lens!
It is not necessary - and not recommended - to clean the lens surfaces at the inner side of the objectives. Sometimes
dust can be removed with high pressured air
Caution
Cleaning cloths containing plastic bers may damage the coating of the lenses!
Maintenance of the stand
• Dust can be removed with a brush. In case the stand or base plate is really dirty, then clean the surface with a
non-aggressive cleaning product
• All moving parts - like the height adjustment or the coaxial coarse and ne adjustment - contain ball bearings
that are not dust sensitive. With a drop of sewing-machine oil the bearing can be lubricated
Replacing the fuse
To change the fuse, follow the procedures below:
• Remove the power cord from the back of the microscope
• Locate the fuse compartment, which has a fuse image. It is typically
located close to the power connector
• Remove the fuse compartment. To do so, insert a at head
screwdriver behind the fuse compartment and gently pry it loose
• Insert the new fuse into the compartment, and then replace the
fuse compartment back to where it was originally
• Power up the microscope and test
• Fuse specication: 250 V F1A glass, 5 x 20 mm
Note: The fuse may blow in order to prevent internal damage to the microscope and in most cases, replacing the
fuse with a correctly rated fuse will resolve the issue. However, should you encounter a blown fuse frequently, please
contact your distributor for further assistance
Accessories and spare parts
For current accessories and spares, please check our website coleparmer.com
Warranty
These microscopes come with a ve (5) year factory warranty against manufacturing defects, covering labor and
parts. Warranty does not apply for consumable accessories and parts such as bulbs, batteries, fuses, cords, optical
components, or any add-on accessories such as mechanical specimen holders that are not built into the microscope
stage as an integral part of the original manufacture, etc. Warranty does not cover microscopes, lenses cameras or
other accessories that have become inoperable due to dirt or damage due to misuse or lack of maintenance.
Note: Buyers are responsible for return shipping and handling cost for warranty services. Warranty covers parts and
labor only.
14

Notes
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15

©2022 Cole-Parmer Instrument Company, LLC.
Toll-free: 1-800-323-4340
Phone: 1-847-549-7600
Fax: 1-847-247-2929
coleparmer.com
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6
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