Assemble the illumination

In this section we are assembling the transmission illuminator. This mounts the LED and condenser lens above the sample, so the transmitted light can be imaged by the microscope objective.

Step 1: Mount the dovetail

• Place the illumination dovetail onto the stage above the z-actuator of the main body.
• Secure in place with two M3x10 cap head screws and 2 M3 Washers (using 2.5mm Ball-end Allen key)

Step 2: Push-fit the lens

• Place the condenser lens on the lens tool flat side down
• Take the condenser arm and align the opening over the lens
• Push down until the lens clicks into place.
• Visually inspect the positioning of the lens. It should be flat, not seated at an angle. If necessary, push against the lens tool to align properly.

Step 3: Add the condenser retaining screw

• Place an M3x25mm stainless steel hex bolt through the Illumination thumbscrew
• Drop an M3 nut into the nut slot on the condenser arm dovetail
• Start to screw the thumbscrew into the nut from the outside of the dovetail
• Screw the thumbscrew by hand until it almost touches the dovetail. Do not tighten further at this stage

Step 4: Cut out the diffuser

• Take a small sheet of 0.5mm polypropylene .
• Cut out a circle, approximately 14mm in diameter, using a utility knife. It is better to be slightly smaller than required, rather than slightly larger.
• Using the condenser board spacer as a guide, make two small holes for the screws that mount the illumination.
• The diffuser is shown in white in the next step.

Step 5: Mount the diffuser and LED board

• Turn the condenser over, so the flat side is on top.
• Place the diffuser on the condenser, then the condenser board spacer, then the illumination PCB.
• Fix in place with two No 2 6.5mm self tapping screws using a #1 pozidrive screwdriver.

Step 6: Assemble the illumination wiring harness

• Take a red pre-crimped female-female jumper cable (30 cm) and a black pre-crimped female-female jumper cable (30 cm).
• Attach a 2 pin Du Pont connector female housing to each end.
• This is the illumination wiring harness.

Step 7: Attach the illumination cable

• Attach the illumination wiring harness to the illumination PCB

Step 8: Attach the illumination cover

• Place the condenser lid on top of the condenser assembly.
• Secure in place with two No 2 6.5mm self tapping screws using a #1 pozidrive screwdriver.

Step 9: Insert the illumination wiring

• Pass the illumination wiring harness from the top to the bottom of the cable guide in the illumination dovetail.
• Pass the illumination wiring harness from the top to the bottom of the cable guide in the main body, between the Z gear and the Y gear.

Step 10: Mount the condenser arm

• Slide the condenser arm into the illumination dovetail until it is approximately flush with the top
• Tighten the thumbscrew by hand to lock the arm in place.
• Do not worry about the exact position, this will be adjusted on first use.

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