Scientifica MTP Guide

Moveable Top Plate
Manual Adjustment
Revision 2.0
Manual Part No.: S-MTP-MANUAL

© Scientifica Ltd
1A Kingfisher Court, Brambleside, Bellbrook Industrial Estate,
Uckfield, TN22 1QQ, United Kingdom
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]

Contents
Note: This manual describes the features, functions and operation of
the MTP. Before use, please carefully read this manual, directions for all
accessories, all precautionary information and specifications.
Contents...............................................................................................1
1.0 Product Introduction .....................................................................1
1.1 Handling Scientifica equipment – precautions..............................1
1.2 The Scientifica Moveable Top Plate (MTP)..................................1
1.2.1 Product overview ..................................................................1
1.2.2 Product Walkthrough.............................................................1
2.0 Packing List ...................................................................................3
2.1 Standard items.............................................................................3
3.0 Initial Setup....................................................................................4
3.1 Mechanical configuration of MTP.................................................4
3.2 Building the MTP .........................................................................4
3.1.1 Removing shipping brackets.................................................4
3.1.2 Setting the correct length of your platform leg.......................5
3.1.3 Attaching the legs and feet....................................................5
3.1.4 Attaching the micrometre heads............................................5
3.1.5 Positioning the Platform........................................................6
3.1.6 Bolting the platform to your table top.....................................6
3.1.7 Using the Sliding Carriages...................................................7
3.1.8 Rotating your sample............................................................8
4.0 Maintenance...................................................................................9
4.1 Troubleshooting...........................................................................9
4.1.1 Movement of micrometres not smooth..................................9
5.0 Specifications.............................................................................. 10
6.0 Dimensional Drawings ................................................................10
7.0 Warranty, Technical Queries and Returns................................. 10
8.0 About Scientifica .........................................................................12

1.0 Product Introduction |1
1.0 Product Introduction
1.1 Handling Scientifica equipment – precautions
This section contains important safety information related to general use
of the MTP. The Scientifica MTP is a piece of scientific equipment and
as such requires care when handling.
• Before use, carefully read the instructions, including all warnings and
cautions.
• Inspect the product and connectors before each use. Do not use any
equipment that appears damaged.
• There are no user serviceable parts inside the unit.
Other important safety information appears throughout the manual.
Adjustment or removal of any screws or components
other than those noted in this manual can adversely
affect the performance and operation of your
micromanipulator and may invalidate your warranty.
1.2 The Scientifica Moveable Top Plate (MTP)
1.2.1 Product overview
The MTP has been designed to allow you to combine Electrophysiology
with a range of imaging techniques.
Designed to fit around any upright microscope, the MTP offers extra
smooth translation via manually controlled micrometres, allowing
researchers to navigate a sample whilst still recording from patched
cells.
1.2.2 Product walkthrough
Figure A: MTP, top view

2|
Figure B: MTP, back view
1 Aluminium Top plate – tapped surface with either metric or imperial
spacing, 7 grooves to accept carriage plates
3 Sample plate holder
4 Translation stage assembly
5 Y (front-to-rear) axis micrometre
6 X (left-to-right) axis micrometre
7 Locking ring to adjust leg height
8 Adjustable height legs
9 Feet

2.0 Packing List |3
2.0 Packing List
If the outside of the shipping packaging is damaged, notify your shipping
department immediately. The shipping department may wish to notify
the carrier at this point.
If the shipping carton is not damaged, carefully remove and identify all of
the components as listed below. If any of items are missing, contact
Scientifica Ltd. Please retain the packaging for storage or future
transportation of the system.
2.1 Standard items
1 x Vernier caliper
1 x Translation stage
2 x Micrometre heads
1 x Screw kit
1 x Hex key set
1 x Slice chamber kit
1 x Top Plate
3 x Manipulator mounting
plates
8x Leg bolts (usually shipped
screwed into the top & bottom
of adjustable legs.
4 x Adjustable legs
2 x Feet
4 x Foot Mounting
Locks

4| 3.0 Initial Setup
3.0 Initial Setup
3.1 Mechanical configuration of MTP
Please remember: adjustment or removal of any screws
or components other than those noted in this manual
can adversely affect the performance and operation of
your micromanipulator and may invalidate your
warranty.
If you are unsure of the components discussed here, please review the
schematic in section 1.2.2.
3.2 Building the MTP
To get the best performance out of your platform it must be set up
precisely.
Please follow the steps in this manual to ensure the platform is set up in
accordance with manufacturers’ guidelines.
Please remember: adjustment or removal of any screws
or components other than those noted in this manual
can adversely affect the performance and operation of
your equipment and may invalidate your warranty.
3.1.1 Removing shipping brackets
Special shipping brackets are added to your MTP to prevent damage
during shipment. These are bright red and found on the inside arms of
the XY translation stage.
Remove the shipping brackets using the Hex Key provided.
Note: retain the brackets for future use.
Figure C: Removing shipping brackets

3.0 Initial Setup |5
3.1.2 Setting the correct length of your platform leg
It is essential that you ensure the legs are all the
same height. Any differences in leg length will reduce
the smoothness of the stage motion and damage the
bearings.
It is important to ensure that the platform height is set to correct focal
point of your microscope. For a Scientifica SliceScope the height is 219
mm. (This information should be supplied by your microscope
manufacturer – Olympus, Zeiss, Leica, Nikon).
Figure D: Setting the platform height
Once you have decided on the correct height, unscrew the legs to the
desired length. Use the digital callipers to ensure that all of the MTP legs
are the same length.
Tighten the locking ring to ensure that the height does not change.
3.1.3 Attaching the legs and feet
Bolt the feet to the legs using the supplied leg bolts with the 10 mm allen
key. Align the legs with the XY stage and bolt firmly together with the 10
mm allen key.
Measure this
height
Locking Ring
Make sure
adjustable screws
are at the top

6| 3.0 Initial Setup
3.1.4 Attaching the micrometre heads
Slide the micrometres into the holders attached to the translation stage
and tighten the screw with the hex key supplied .
Figure E: Micrometre placement
Caution: Do not overly tighten screws, this could
damage the micrometres and cause irregular, rough
movement of the translation stage.
3.1.5 Positioning the platform
Put the platform in position near your microscope and carefully slide the
top plate into position. Lock the top plate in place by gently tightening
the bolts with the Hex key supplied.
Figure F: Locking the top plate in position
Ensure that the central hole of the sample plate is aligned with your
microscope objective.
3.1.6 Bolting the platform to your table top
Once the platform is in the correct position, place the four foot mounting
locks into the feet.

3.0 Initial Setup |7
By rotating the mounting locks, you will expose a tapped hole in the
table. Using the bolts supplied, bolt the feet firmly to your table surface.
This will be either M6 for metric tables or ¼ 20 for inch spaced tables.
3.1.7 Using the sliding carriages
As an alternative to mounting devices directly on the tapped surface of
the top plate, three carriages are supplied for when finer positioning
control is required.
These are usually used for mounting micromanipulators, which can be
attached directly to the carriage using the bolts supplied.
Ensure that the bolts used to mount devices do not
extend beyond the lower surface of the carriage to
prevent damage to the top plate surface.
The T-bar can be mounted to the lower surface of the carriage in any of
the five hole positions for additional lateral positioning versatility.
Figure G: Mounting carriages.
The right-hand carriage is inverted to reveal a T-bar
mounted in the central lateral position.
To fit the mounting carriages to the top plate, loosen but do not remove
the bolts holding the T-bar in place using the supplied hex key. Slide the
carriage onto the top plate from the outer edge.
When in position, retighten the T-bar bolts to secure the carriage in
place. It is important to complete this step to ensure complete stability.
Note: By sliding the carriage to the end of the groove and locking it
there; you can ensure repeatable positioning of equipment.

8|
3.1.8 Rotating your sample
Note: This step only applies to models featuring a sample chamber with
a locking outer ring, as pictured below. On models currently being
supplied, this feature has been replaced with a magnetic outer ring, held
in place with three locking clamps.
Figure G: Securing the sample chamber
Loosen the locking ring which secures the bath plate. Rotate the bath
plate to its new position and then secure the bath plate by ensuring that
the locking ring is tight.

4.0 Maintenance |9
4.0 Maintenance
WARNING: Do not tamper with any fixings other than
those indicated in the manual for mounting purposes.
There are no user serviceable parts within the MTP.
4.1 Troubleshooting
4.1.1 Movement not smooth
Check all the legs are set to the same height and all the screws are
tightened.
Remove micrometres from the MTP and check to see if the screw
housing has been damaged by over tightening.
Check to see if the micrometre rotates smoothly outside the MTP.
Move stage slowly back and forth without micrometres in place to check
for irregular movement.
4.1.2 No movement
Check shipping plates have been removed.
Check micrometres are properly in place and have been tightened.

10| 5.0 Specifications
5.0 Specifications
Number of axes 2
Travel 50 mm
Bearings Crossed roller
6.0 Dimensional drawings
All dimensions are in mm.
All top plates have a depth of 15 mm.

7.0 Warranty, Technical Queries and Returns |11
7.0 Warranty, Technical Queries and Returns
The MTP is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for
a period of two years after date of delivery. During the warranty period,
Scientifica Ltd will repair or, at its option, replace parts which prove
defective when the instrument is returned to Scientifica Ltd in the UK or
to your local representative. The warranty will not apply if the instrument
has been damaged by accident, misuse, or as a result of modification by
persons other than Scientifica Ltd personnel.
Before returning an instrument, please obtain a returns number from
your local representative or Scientifica Ltd in the UK.
Please refer to our terms and conditions of sales for information on our
legal obligations. However, we pride ourselves on going beyond the call
of duty and seek to remedy where we can and in a timely manner.
For any warranty queries please contact your local distributor or
Scientifica Ltd directly.
Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]m

12| 8.0 About Scientifica
8.0 About Scientifica
Scientifica specialises in the manufacture and distribution of innovative,
superior equipment for electrophysiology researchers, based on
principles of careful design and solid engineering.
By responding to the unique demands placed on the equipment of
electrophysiologists and thinking laterally around these challenges,
we've developed an impressive product range used in laboratories
throughout the world, including many top universities, research centres
and pharmaceutical companies.

© Scientifica Ltd
1A Kingfisher Court, Brambleside, Bellbrook Industrial Estate,
Uckfield, TN22 1QQ, United Kingdom
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]