Labomed TCM 400 FLR User Manual

TCM 400FLR

User Manual

R

Inverted Microscopy

To ensure proper use of this instrument as well as to avoid injury while operating
instrument, understanding this manual completely before use is highly recommended.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7127000-795

Issue 1.1
Printed on Aug. 2018

TCM400Flr

CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 1

2 PRINCIPLE 1

3 UNPACKING 2

4 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 3

5 INSTALLATION 4

6 MAINTAINING OPERATING LIFE 6

7 CENTERING THE LIGHT BEAM 7

8 OBSERVING A SPECIMEN 7

9 TROUBLESHOOTING 8

10 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 9

PACKAGING CONTENTS

1. FL attachment in 2 parts

2. 2 Filter cube

3. Power Supply

4. Power cord

5. UV protection shield

Fluorescence Attachment User Guide 2

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Fluorescent attachment is manufactured according to CE safety norms and regulations.

Fluorescent attachment is intended for use only as prescribed in this manual.

Make sure the main switch on the power supply unit is set to OFF (O) before supplying power to the unit.

The power supply unit contains high voltage components. Do not attempt to disassemble the unit when turned ON
(I).

To avoid injury, do not remove the lamp housing while the lamp is lit. Also, do not turn the lamp ON while the lamp
housing is removed to avoid damaging the instrument.

Before opening lamp housing for replacement of the lamp, set the main switch to OFF (O) and unplug the lamp
housing's connecting cord plug from the output connector on the power supply unit. Wait at least 10 minutes or until
the lamp housing cools down before any changes are made.

Do not open the lamp housing while the system is turned ON, for any user contact with internal parts may cause
injury.

A used mercury burner should be disposed of in compliance with the ordinances or regulations of your national or
local government.

The manufacturer will not accept any liability for damage caused by any user following unsafe practice of the
instrument.

Avoid using the lamp beyond its service life. The mercury lamp seals high pressure gasses. If the lamp is used beyond its service life,
stress may accumulate inside the lamp and in the worst but very rare case, the lamp may burst.

Fluorescence Attachment User Guide 3

INSTALLATION

Remove all parts from the packing carefully.

1. Remove the plastic cover (1) from the microscope to make room for

the fluorescence attachment.

Bring the nosepiece to the maximum height by rotating the coarse
knob (2) anti- clockwise. Remove the illumination power cable before
removing the cover. Apply similar pressure by thumbs on the inner

sides of the panel (3 & 4) to push it out. Refer to figure 1 and 2.

2. Join the Optical assembly and illumination assembly to complete the
FL attachment. Guide the illumination assembly to the optical
assembly. Secure both parts by the allen screws (1) provided. Refer

Fig. 3.

3. Assemble attachment in the microscope as shown in Fig. 4 and

secure it with 3 Nos of Screws. Then install filter in the guide slot as
shown in Fig. 5.

1

Fig. 1

3

4

2

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

1

Fig. 5

Fluorescence Attachment User Guide 4

INSTALLATION

Open the illumination house to install the mercury lamp. Loosen the

A

B

thumbscrew
housing.

To avoid any damage to the mercury vapor lamp, a plastic rod (1) is fitted in

place of lamp during transit. Remove this rod by loosening the two screws

indicated by the two arrows A and B shown in Fig. 6.

Mount the mercury vapor lamp in place of plastic rod and tighten the screws

to secure the lamp. install as shown in Fig. 6.A.

Avoid touching the lamp in order to prevent leaving finger prints on the

glass. If there is any residue on the lamp's surface, gently wipe it off with

soft tissue paper.

Install the power cable coming from the illumination house to the power unit

indicated by arrow A in Fig. 7.

(1). Connect the power cord to the AC Inlet indicated by arrow B in Fig. 7.

indicated by the arrow and gently pull out lamp door from lamp

Fig. 6

. 6A

Fig

B

A

Fig. 7

Fluorescence Attachment User Guide 5

INSTALLING THE FILTER B & G

Select the filter to be used on the fluorescence attachment.

Engage the slider to the filter house and gently slide it in.

It will stop at the Iindex position.

Fig. 8

MAINTAINING OPERATING LIFE

Ensure that the power supply unit has been connected to proper power supply voltage.

Set the main switch on the power supply unit to ( | ). After the lamp is ignited, at least 5 minutes required to

stabilize light..

To avoid shortening the power supply unit's operating life, avoid turning power ON while the lamp is not mounted

Avoid turning power ON and OFF within short intervals for this may reduce working life of the power supply.

After the lamp is turned OFF, it should not be re-ignited before the mercury vapors cool and condense. Wait

approximately 10 minutes before turning power to the fluorescent attachment O N again.

Fluorescence Attachment User Guide 6

CENTERING THE LIGHT BEAM

Turn the power supply ON. Allow the lamp at least 5 minutes to
fully illuminate for optimal use.

The halogen illumination of the microscope should be kept off
while working with FLR.

Place the specimen slide on stage. Select the excitation light by
installing the filter block as follows :

For G-excitation - Install red sliding block to its outermost position.

For B-excitation - Push blue sliding block in to its innermost position.

For O light (non-excited light) - Slide out the filer to parking point.

Observe the specimen slide through the microscope's eyepieces.

When no fluorescent light is required, turn the attachment's power

supply OFF and set the sliding filter block to its middle / neutral

position. To view the specimen in normal condition under the

microscope's light, turn the microscope ON.

OBSERVING A SPECIMEN

First allow the mercury vapor lamp at least five

minutes to fully illuminate for optimal use (it is very

important to allow the system enough time to fully
ignite in order to achieve a fully illuminated centering
beam). Look into the eyeppiece aanddmanipulate

the ccollector focusing knobb to make the field asd

bright as regular asapossible, then, turn the knobb

clockwise to tighten as shown in Fig.#9/Part 1.

When the lamp is fully illuminated, a beam of light is

visible through the eyepieces in the field of view.

To center this beam of light in the field of view, two

centering knobs are located on the lamp housing as

indicated by the two arrows (A & B) in Fig. 9. By

1

A

B

Fig. 9

adjusting these two knobs, the focused beam will
shift. Adjust the beam position to the center of the

field of view as shown in Fig. 9. A.

Fluorescence Attachment User Guide 7

Fig. 9A.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Problem Cause Remedy

Optical System

1) The mercury lamp lights up, Filter slider is not engaged properly Adjust filter to required setting.
but field of view remains dark in light path.

2) Image is unclear, blurred or a) Objectives and/or filters are dirty. Clean them with tissue/lens paper.
has poor contrast. b) Field iris diaphragm is not Adjust field iris diaphragm so

fully opened. that the image circumscribes

the field of view.

3) Field of view is vignetted or a) Objective is not engaged properly Be sure when rotating nosepiece
it is not evenly illuminated. in light path. that objective clicks into position.

b) Filter slider is not engaged properly Engage required filter

in light path. properly in light path.

c) Mercury lamp is not centered Center mercury lamp correctly.

properly. This process is shown on Page 7

d) Beam focus deviates from correct Adjust the condenser knob.

position. This process is shown on Page 7

4) Mercury lamp is not illuminating Some mercury lamps may not ignite Press the Trigger button provided
after switching power supply ON. the first time the power supply is on the front panel of power supply

turned ON. unit and wait for lamp to ignite.

Electrical System

1) Lamp housing / Main switch a) Power cord is not connected Make sure power cord is firmly
indicator does not light up. properly. in place.

b) The fuse is blown. Replace with fuse of same type

and rating.

2) Main switch indicator lights up, a) Connector cable is not engaged Verify connection is secure.
yet mercury lamp remains OFF. properly.

b) Mercury lamp is not mounted. Install mercury lamp as

indicated on Page 5

3) Light demonstrates partial a) Sufficient time has not been Allow at least 5 minutes after
flickering. allowed for the lamp to fully turning power supply ON for the

illuminate. lamp to fully illuminate. If flickering

persist press Trigger button.

b) Lamp's service life has expired. Replace the mercury lamp

Fluorescence Attachment User Guide 8

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Type : Transmitted Fluorescent illumination based on switching of dichroic mirror
cubes

Observation modes : B-excitation and G-excitation
Lamp type : HBO 50 W, high pressure Mercury vapor lamp
Supply Voltage : 110V AC, 60 Hz / 220V AC, 50Hz
Operating environment : Indoor use

Ambient temperature 5 C to 40 C
Maximum relative humidity 80% at 40 C

0 0

0

FILTER SPECIFICATIONS

B-excitation
Excitation filter : Transmission 90% at wavelength 420 to 480 nm.

Transmission 0% at wavelength 485 nm onwards.

Dichroic mirror : Transmission 93% at wavelength 540 nm onwards .

Transmission 0% at wavelength 400 to 530 nm.

Barrier filter : Transmission 95% at wavelength 535 nm onwards

Transmission 0% at wavelength 400 to 500 nm.
Recommended Fluorescent Dye : Acridine Orange, both DNA & RNA
G-excitation
Excitation filter : Transmission 85% at wavelength 490 to 525 nm.

Transmission 0% at wavelength 530 nm onwards.
Dichroic mirror : Transmission 90% at wavelength 600 nm onwards .

Transmission 0% at wavelength 400 to 595 nm.
Barrier filter : Transmission 92% at wavelength 615 nm onwards

Transmission 0% at wavelength 400 to 575 nm.
Recommended Fluorescent Dye : Acridine Red FM 5-95

TM

Fluorescence Attachment User Guide 9

www.laboamerica.com

Our policy is one of continuous development. Labo America, Inc., reserves the right to change design and specifications without prior notice.

Labo America Inc.

920 Auburn Court
Fremont
CA 94538

LABOMED and TCM400 FLR are registered trademarks of Labo America, Inc.
With a policy of continuous development, Labo America, Inc. reserves the right to change design and specifications without prior notice.

© 2011 Labo America, Inc. | 7127000-795 08-2018

U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

A28240

ISO 9001

LABOMED