Observing The Proper Maintenance Of A Metallographic Microscope

Metallographic microscopes are expensive microscopes. But much more than that, they have a lot of functions that help in the production of electronic circuits and other industrial materials. And these are just a few reasons why these microscopes have to be properly maintained while being used.

The proper maintenance of a metallographic microscope always starts from the proper use of the device. This is very important, not only with metallographic microscopes, but with all types of microscopes in general. The proper care and maintenance of microscopes will ensure that the device will work accurately as expected and would perform up until it reaches its projected maximum lifespan.

Here are ways on how you can appropriately maintain a metallurgical microscope:

1. Always place the microscope on a leveled, safe, and convenient place.
   Every time you use the metallographic microscope, make sure that it sits on a flat surface, preferably a table. Ideally, its height should perfectly complement that of its user. It should also be away from any water source like sinks or faucets, including the cabinets and racks where chemicals are kept. Unless the metallographic microscope is used on a daily basis, put it a secured storage place when not in use.


2. Keep dusts and humidity away from the microscope.
   Dusts are the primary reasons why microscopes need to be kept properly inside the cabinet all the time. Dusts can cause costly damage to the microscope. It may produce specks on the eyepiece that could disrupt the image of the specimen being viewed. If the microscope is to be used daily, make sure that a plastic cover is used to keep it from being contaminated by dust, dirt, and dampness.


3. Regularly clean the metallographic microscope’s objective lenses.
   After every use, wipe the objective lenses with the prescribed cloth or paper. For oil immersion objective lens, carefully remove the mineral oil applied to it, according to manufacturer’s specifications. Make sure that the mineral oil never touches the other lenses. It would be difficult to remove oil from such types of lenses. For any specks that can’t be removed by mere cleaning, carefully take out the objective lenses by unscrewing it from the nosepiece. Clean it again. If the speck stays, then the objective could have been damaged. Replace it as necessary.


4. Clean and lubricate the metallographic microscope’s mechanical parts.
   There are instances that the knobs and sliders of the metallographic microscope became too stiff or too loose to move. Try to clean and polish the microscope’s removable mechanical parts. The rack and pinion slider may also need some lubrication. You can remove dust with the use of a blow dryer or an artist’s brush. To remove stubborn dirt, solvents like petrol may be used. Polish the metal accordingly and apply some silicone grease to loosen up the stiffly moving parts.


5. Always check the light source.
   The metallographic microscope’s light source is one of its main parts. And it is the microscope’s illuminating system that allows it to be fully functional. Always check if the voltage supply of the microscope stays well within manufacturer’s standards. These microscopes are usually powered either by 110v or 220v alternating current. Keep a lot of spare fuses and bulbs to keep the metallographic microscope running. If the light produced by the light source is hot, provide proper ventilation to keep it from malfunctioning or worse, affecting the sample.


6. Always keep a steady supply of lens cleaning materials.
   Keeping the microscope’s lenses clean and working is the primarily reason for taking care of the microscope. The first thing a user has to do is to check the metallographic microscope’s manual and find out what cleaning fluid can be used with the device. You might also need to buy some drying agents to keep moisture away from it.


7. Send the metallographic microscope for professional maintenance every six months.
   To make sure that the microscope function well within standard, a professional microscope repairman should be contacted to check on the microscope’s general condition. Professionals could accurately assess whether the microscope objective lenses are magnifying the specimens within the right range. They can also assess if the view field is still in its proper alignment. A regular user can’t inspect all of these crucial points. And they are the reason why it is important that a professional be summoned from time to time and on a regular basis. Doing so will keep the metallographic microscope fully functional.
   
   Here are seven tips on how to properly maintain a metallographic microscope. Doing these steps would ensure that the microscopes are on its best condition every time it needs to be used. Overlooking these steps might cause some inaccuracy when observing a sample.