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.

For this section you will need:

Tools

Printed Parts

Mechanical Components

If the illumination PCB is not available, you can use a 5mm LED instead, by following the LED workaround.

Step 1: 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 2: 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 3: 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 4: 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