The Swift SW350T microscope is a versatile instrument designed for both seasoned professionals and beginner hobbyists, offering a comprehensive platform for microscopic observation. Its primary function is to magnify small specimens, allowing users to examine intricate details that are invisible to the naked eye. The microscope is built with a focus on ease of use, robust construction, and clear optical performance, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from educational settings to laboratory work.
One of the key usage features of the SW350T is its trinocular Siedentopf head, which is rotatable 360 degrees. This design allows for comfortable viewing by multiple users or for extended observation sessions, as the head can be adjusted to suit different postures without moving the entire microscope. The Siedentopf head also offers interpupillary distance adjustment, ranging from 48mm to 75mm, ensuring that users can customize the distance between the eyepieces for optimal binocular vision and reduced eye strain. Furthermore, a diopter adjustment is available on the left tube, with a range of +/-5dp, which helps compensate for differences in vision between a user's eyes, ensuring a sharp image for both.
The microscope comes equipped with wide-field 10X and 25X eyepieces, providing a good range of initial magnification options. These eyepieces are easily inserted into the holders on the microscope's head. For enhanced versatility, the trinocular camera port on top of the microscope allows for the attachment of an eyepiece adapter. Users can choose to insert a third eyepiece into this port for simultaneous viewing or mount an eyepiece camera (not included) to capture images or video of their observations. This feature is particularly useful for documentation, teaching, or sharing findings. The parfocality between the eyepieces and the trinocular port is preset, but if necessary, a parfocal ring on the eyepiece adapter allows for fine-tuning of the adapter height to ensure that the image remains in focus when switching between the eyepieces and the camera.
The SW350T features a quadruple revolving nosepiece, which houses a selection of achromatic objective lenses: 4X, 10X, 40X (Spring), and 100X (Spring, Oil). This allows for quick and easy switching between different magnification levels. The "Spring" designation for the 40X and 100X objectives indicates that they are spring-loaded, providing a protective mechanism that retracts the objective if it accidentally comes into contact with the slide, preventing damage to both the objective and the specimen. The working distances of these objectives are carefully calibrated to ensure optimal performance. The 4X objective has a working distance of 37.5mm, the 10X has 7.35mm, the 40X has 0.29mm, and the 100X has 0.18mm. These objectives, combined with the eyepieces, provide a wide range of total magnifications, from 40X up to 2500X.
Operating the microscope is straightforward. After placing a slide into the double-layered mechanical stage with its slide holder, users can precisely position the specimen using the X-Y translational control knobs located on the right side of the stage. These knobs allow for smooth movement of the slide front-to-back and left-to-right, ensuring that any part of the specimen can be centered over the illumination bulb. The stage itself is generously sized at 130mm x 130mm, with an X-Y range of 70mm x 30mm, accommodating various slide sizes.
Focusing is achieved through a coaxial coarse and fine focusing system. The larger coarse adjustment knob is used for initial focusing, bringing the stage closer to the objective. Once an image is formed, the blue fine adjustment focus knob allows for precise adjustments to achieve optimal clarity and to observe different layers within the specimen. An upper limit stop, which is preset but adjustable, prevents the stage from rising too high and colliding with the objectives, further protecting the equipment and slides.
Illumination is provided by a built-in 1W LED transmitted light source, which offers intensity control via a dimming handwheel. This allows users to adjust the brightness to a comfortable level for their eyes and the specific specimen being viewed. The Abbe condenser, with a numerical aperture (NA) of 1.25 and an iris diaphragm, plays a crucial role in controlling the light that passes through the specimen. The iris aperture diaphragm can be adjusted to change the resolution and contrast of the image, while the condenser itself can be manually moved closer to or farther from the stage by rotating a metal knob, further optimizing illumination.
For advanced observations, particularly with the 100X objective, the SW350T supports the use of immersion oil. After positioning the 100X objective near the specimen, a drop of immersion oil is applied to the cover slip, and the objective is then rotated into contact with the oil. This technique enhances the resolution and clarity of the image at high magnifications.
Maintenance features are designed to ensure the longevity and optimal performance of the microscope. The device should be stored in a cool, dry place and protected from dust with the included dust cover when not in use. Cleaning the lenses requires a soft brush or compressed air to gently remove dust. It is crucial to avoid touching the optical surfaces directly and never to disassemble the optical components, as this servicing should only be performed by a Swift technician. When eyepieces are not in use, plastic covers should be placed over the eyepiece lens holders and ocular lenses to protect them. For cleaning immersion oil from the 100X objective and cover slip, lens paper moistened with a small amount of ethyl or isopropyl alcohol should be used immediately after observation. It is important to note that immersion oil should only be used with the 100X objective, not with the 4X, 10X, or 40X objectives.
The microscope is powered by a 110-240V AC adapter, which is included, making it suitable for use in various regions. Troubleshooting guidance is provided to help users resolve common issues, such as uneven visual fields, blurry images, or problems with illumination, before needing to contact customer support. This self-help approach empowers users to maintain their microscope effectively.
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