I’ve built the Version 7 microscope. The basic electronics work and I get illumination and an image on the screen, but I have a couple of problems. 1) I used cap headed bolts for the large gears and the z - axis bolt does not turn reliably, certainly it presents a big problem when trying to focus. The motors drive the gears, but the bolt fails to move the actuator up and down. I’ve had to remove the motor and adjust the bolt by hand to get the microscope in focus. That is how I know the gear slips on the bolt. What should I do to prevent slippage? 2) I guess the only why to change magnifications is to swap out objectives like a clinical microscope. Do you have anything coming down the pike?
Thanks, It has been an interesting couple of weeks. I’m a retired pathologist and enjoy the challenge.
Dan Kurtycz, MD
If you can’t get hex head bolts, what has worked for me in the past is to put a nut on the cap head bolt, tighten it against the head and secure it with a bit of glue. The nut then acts as the hex head.
Where are you located? The hex head bolts are a requirement for correct operation of the stage. We have looked at availability in the past to check the availability in many countries and locations, it would be useful to know where there are issues with availability.
I ordered some from Accu from the UK… but there must be something closer..
Dan Kurtycz
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(Attachment Precision-screwsv3.avif is missing)
From the UK, Westfield Fasteners have all the screws needed and ship internationally. From the USA McMaster Carr also ship internationally. The links to both are in the parts pages for the different screws. Unfortunately the McMaster Carr website does not have a structure that gives individual part pages that we can link to, so links are to the nearest search that includes the part needed.
I wondered about hex head bolts. I am in the US, in Wisconsin. I just looked back at the instructions and see the need for the hex head bolt. I went to Google and ordered a few 25 mm M3 Hex bolts for an outrageous shipping price. Amazon’s bolt purchase facility wasn’t clear. But, I want to see this thing work. Thank you so much.
I obtained the Hex bolts from Accu “Building Tomorrow: One component at a time”. After order they came in a couple of days. Product reference SEBF-M3-25-A2. M3 x 25mm full thread hexagon bolts (DIN 933) - Stainless Steel (A2). Thanks for you help. My next question is how to establish the initial focus using the navigation tool.
I think I answered my own question. The autofocus seems to work. I’m trying the unit on some very old biopsy slides…I have to get my hands on newer material.. I’m just imaging some old melanomas at present