Swift M2250 Series User manual

Swift M2250 Series
Microscope
User and Care Manual
SWIFT OPTICAL
Enduring Quality and Technical Excellence

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Swift Series M2250 Microscope
The M2250 Series is ideal for elementary to high school classrooms. Built
to withstand student use, this series has locked-on eyepieces, objectives
and stage clips, and a “slip-clutch” focusing system to protect gears from
over-focusing. The M2250 Series is offered with several illumination
options: standard tungsten; extra-bright, cool fluorescent; and LED for
efficient, cool, white light that lasts up to 100 times longer than
traditional tungsten bulbs.
PICTURED M2251B

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COMPONENTS OF THE MICROSCOPE
ARM – the vertical column (attached to the base) which supports the
stage and contains the coarse and fine adjusting knobs and focusing
mechanism.
BASE – the housing and platform of the instrument to which the arm is
attached. The base stands on rubber feet and contains the illuminator
assembly. The bulb replacement part number is printed on the underside
of the base.
COARSE FOCUS CONTROLS – this model is a stage focusing model
meaning the stage moves up or down by means of a brass rack and steel
pinion gear to bring the specimen into focus. The movement is achieved
by two large knobs on the sides of the arm. In order to prevent gear
damage, the focus control is equipped with a slip clutch that allows
slippage at both ends of the focusing range. The system is also furnished
with a tension control to prevent “stage drift”.
CONDENSER – the condenser is mounted in the stage and it is used in
conjunction with a substage disc diaphragm (M2251B) or an iris
diaphragm (M2251C, M2251CL). The function of the condenser is to
provide full illumination to the specimen plane and to enhance the
resolution and contrast of the object being viewed.
DISC DIAPHRAGM (M2251B) – the disc attached to the underside of the
stage. The disc has 5 apertures (openings) and is used to increase or
decrease the contrast of the specimen. Its purpose is to provide the
appropriate aperture for the objective being used and assists with
providing optimal contrast for viewing the specimen.
EYEPIECE – the upper optical element that further magnifies the primary
image of the specimen and brings the light rays in focus at the eyepoint.
FINE FOCUS CONTROLS – the fine focusing knobs, located on either side
of the microscope, in front of and slightly lower than the coarse focusing
knobs, are used for precise focusing adjustments once the specimen has
been brought into view with the coarse focus controls
HEAD – it is the top portion of the microscope that contains the
refracting prisms and the eyepiece tube. The eyepiece is locked onto the
eyepiece tube with a set screw. The head rotates allowing operation of
the microscope from the front or the back, whichever is more

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convenient, or allows the microscope to be shared by simply rotating the
head.
IRIS DIAPHRAGM (M2251C, M2251CL) - a round multi-leaf device
mounted below the condenser which is controlled by a lever. It is similar
to a camera shutter and controls the amount of light entering the
condenser, allowing the user to control contrast.
NOSEPIECE – a revolving turret that holds the objective lenses,
permitting changes in magnification by rotating different powered
objective lenses into the optical path.
OBJECTIVES – the optical systems which magnify the primary image of
the instrument. Typical magnifications are 4X, 10X, and 40X.
STAGE – the platform on which the specimen slide is placed. The
standard version comes equipped with locked-on stage clips, and is
pre-drilled to accept an optional mechanical stage.
TERMINOLOGY
“COATED” LENS – in attempting to transmit light through glass, much of
the light is lost through reflection. Coating a lens increases the light
transmission by reducing or eliminating reflection, thus allowing more
light to pass through.
EYE POINT or EYE RELIEF – the distance from the eye lens of the
eyepiece to your eye where a full field of view is seen.
FIELD OF VIEW – the actual circular area seen through the eyepiece.
PARFOCAL – a term applied to objectives when very little fine focusing is
needed to bring the specimen into focus when changing objectives.
RESOLUTION or RESOLVING POWER – the ability of a lens to define the
details of the specimen at a maximum magnification. This is governed by
the N.A. (Numerical Aperture) of the lens. For example, a 40X objective
with N.A. 0.65 has a maximum resolving power of 650X, equal to 1000
times the N.A. This rule of N.A. x 1000 is true of all achromatic
objectives.
WORKING DISTANCE – the distance from the lens of the objective to the
cover slip on the slide, when the specimen is in focus.

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USING YOUR MICROSCOPE
Once you have learned the terminology, the operation of the microscope
is simple. By following these easy steps, you will be able to begin
studying the specimen quickly and easily:
1. Place the slide on the stage and secure it under the stage clips. Be
sure the specimen is directly over the opening in the stage.
2. Rotate the disc diaphragm to align the largest aperture (opening) in
the disc with the opening in the stage.
3. Rotate the nosepiece to place the lowest power objective over the
specimen. Be sure the objective “clicks” into position.
4. While viewing through the eyepiece, rotate the coarse focusing knob
to bring the specimen into view. Next, sharpen the focus using the
fine focus knob.
5. If the image of the specimen appears weak or pale, the disc
diaphragm should be rotated to the next smaller aperture of the disc
diaphragm or the iris diaphragm should be closed slightly. This will
increase contrast in the specimen’s image.
6. Move the slide to place the specimen directly into the center of the
field of view.
7. Rotate the nosepiece to the highest power objective. A slight turn of
the fine focusing knob may be required to bring the image of the
specimen into sharp focus. Once the specimen is in focus with the
highest power objective, it will be in focus with each lower power
objective.
EYEPIECE OBJECTIVE MAGNIFICATION FIELD OF VIEW
W10X 4X,10X,40X 40X,100X,400X 4.10mm,1.65mm,
0.41 mm
(Model M2251C only)
The M2251C contains a rechargeable battery which allows the illuminator
to operate without the need to have the microscope plugged into an
electrical outlet. The rechargeable battery may need to be initially
charged before the microscope can be used cordlessly. Use the power
adapter that was included with the microscope to fully charge the

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rechargeable battery which will take approximately 8 hours. Once the
batteries are fully charged, the microscope illuminator will operate for
approximately 40 hours without being connected to an electrical outlet.
The M2251C can also be used while the power adapter is connected. If
the power adapter is left connected to the microscope, the rechargeable
batteries will stop charging when they are fully charged and there is no
danger of over charging the batteries. The rechargeable batteries have a
life of approximately 500 power cycles.
PARTS AND ACCESSORIES
MA10071 4XD Objective
MA10072 10XD Objective
MA10073 40XRD Objective
MA10512 W10X Eyepiece
MA10513 W10X Eyepiece with pointer
MA12004 High-drive mechanical stage
MA14281 Power adapter for M2251C (4.5V, 1A)
MA14283 Cold Holder for M2251B or M2251CL (Pair)
MA2201 120V, 20W bulb for M2251B
MA2215 3.4V, .06W LED for M2251C, M2251CL
MA268 Stage Clips
MA336 Dustcover
CARE OF YOUR SWIFT SERIES M2250 MICROSCOPE
Swift M2250 microscopes are designed to function satisfactorily with
minimum maintenance. Certain components should be cleaned
frequently to ensure ease of viewing.
CLEANING – The front lens of the objectives (particularly the 40XRD)
should be cleaned after use. First brush with a soft, camel hair brush or
blow off with clean compressed air to remove dust particles. Then wipe
gently with a soft lens tissue, moistened with optical cleaner (eyeglass or
camera lens) or clean water and immediately dry with a clean lens
paper.
CAUTION - Objectives should never be disassembled by the user. If
repairs or internal cleaning should be necessary, this should only be done
by a qualified, authorized technician.

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The eyepiece(s) may be cleaned in the same manner as the objectives,
except in most cases optical cleaner will not be required. In most
instances breathing on the eyepiece to moisten the lens and wiping dry
with a clean lens tissue is sufficient to clean the surface. Lenses should
never be wiped while dry as this will surely scratch or otherwise mar the
surface of the glass.
The finish of the microscope is hard epoxy and is resistant to acids and
reagents. Clean this surface with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
Periodically, the microscope should be disassembled, cleaned and
lubricated. This should only be done by a qualified, authorized
technician.
DUST COVER AND STORAGE – All microscopes should be protected from
dust by a dust cover when in storage or not in use. A dust cover is the
most cost-effective microscope insurance you can buy. Ensure that the
storage space is tall enough to allow the microscope to be placed into
the cabinet or onto a shelf without making undue contact with the
eyepieces. Never store microscopes in cabinets containing chemicals,
which may corrode your microscope. Also, be sure that the objectives
are placed in the lowest possible position and the rotating head is turned
inward and not protruding from the base. Microscopes with mechanical
stages should be adjusted toward the center of the stage to prevent the
moveable arms of the mechanical stage from being damaged during
storage in the cabinet.
BULB REPLACEMENT - To prolong the life of the bulb you should always
turn off the unit when not in use.
NOTE: Use a piece of lens paper instead of your bare hand when
touching new bulbs. The oil from your hand will contaminate the
bulb’s glass envelope and cause it to fail prematurely.
(M2251B) To replace a bulb, you must first unplug the microscope and
remove any slides on the stage. Carefully turn the microscope on its side,
unscrew and open the hinged cover. The cable tie must be cut and
removed in order to remove the bulb. Make sure the bulb is cool and
remove it by carefully unscrewing the tungsten bulb. Install the new bulb
into the socket. Close the hinged cover and tighten the screw to hold the
hinged cover closed.
(M2251C, M2251CL) To replace an LED, you must first unplug the
microscope, turn the power off and remove any slides on the stage. Use

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the small allen wrench (.09mm) that was included with the microscope
to loosen the set screws that hold the black plastic illuminator housing
onto the base of the microscope. Remove the illuminator housing to
expose the LED. Simply pull the LED straight up to remove it from the
light socket. Align the 2 metal socket pins with the holes at the bottom
of the new LED and push the LED onto the socket. Re-install the
illuminator housing. (If the new LED does not work, try repeating the
above procedure. Remove the bulb and re-install it using the opposite
bulb socket pins to reverse the polarity.)
TENSION CONTROL OF FOCUSING MOVEMENT
The focus tension is easily adjusted by using the collar found on the
coarse focusing controls, between the knob and upright support. A
clockwise turn of this collar moves it toward the upright support and
increases tension, while a counter clockwise turn moves the collar
toward the knob and decreases tension.
COMMON PROBLEMS IN MICROSCOPY
A. PROBLEM – The illuminator light does not come on.
CORRECTION
1. Make sure the microscope is plugged into a functional electrical
socket.
2. Make sure the batteries are properly charged. Plug the power
adapter in and see if the microscope will turn on (M2251C).
3. The bulb may need to be replaced. See “Bulb Replacement on
page 7.
B. PROBLEM – Image appears “washed out” or weak.
CORRECTION
1. Rotate disc diaphragm to smaller aperture or slightly close the
iris diaphragm.
2. Objective lens is dirty. Clean as described under “Cleaning”.
3. Eyepiece is dirty. Clean as described under “Cleaning”.

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C. PROBLEM – Dust or hairs seem to be moving in the image.
CORRECTION
Disc diaphragm is at too small an aperture. Rotate to larger aperture.
D. PROBLEM– Unable to bring specimen into focus.
CORRECTION
1. Eye lens of the eyepiece is partially unscrewed. Remove the
eyepiece and screw the two sections together.
2. The nosepiece may need to be rotated to “click” an objective into
the correct position.
3. The specimen may not be centered properly on the stage and
needs to be re-positioned to be in the optical path
E. PROBLEM – Image of the specimen goes out of the focus all by itself.
CORRECTION
Use the tension control collar to tighten the focusing mechanism
found on the coarse focus spindle.
F. PROBLEM – Focusing knobs turn with difficulty even with tension-
collar loosened.
CORRECTION
Microscope should be disassembled, cleaned and re-lubricated by a
qualified, authorized technician.
SWIFT OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC. LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Please see our website, www.swiftoptical.com, for complete warranty
details and exclusions.

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Swift Optical Instruments, Inc.● [phone] ●
www.swiftoptical.com