Related Manuals for Hinds Instruments EXICOR MicroImager
Summary of Contents for Hinds Instruments EXICOR MicroImager
- Page 1 USER MANUAL Hinds Instruments, Inc. P/N: 010-0000-077 UM Rev D Software 025-0000-075 Beta Version...
- Page 2 Information furnished by Hinds Instruments, Inc. is believed to be accurate and reliable; however, no responsibility is assumed by Hinds Instruments, Inc. for its use; nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Basic System Check ................... 48 Cleaning the Exterior ..................48 7 Troubleshooting & Help ................... 50 Diagnosing Common Errors ................50 Contacting Hinds Instruments ................51 A Technical Specifications ..................52 General Specifications ..................52 Measurement Specifications ................52 Exicor MicroImager User Manual... - Page 4 Table of Contents Software Features ....................53 CE Approval ......................53 ® B Exicor MicroImager Limited Warranty ..............55 Exclusions ......................55 Warranty Service ....................55 Non-Warranty Repairs ..................56 Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
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Page 5: Table Of Figures
Figure 18 Auto Collect Start Window................33 Figure 19 Auto Collect Status Window................34 Figure 1..........................35 Figure 2..........................36 Figure 3..........................37 Figure 4..........................38 Figure 5..........................39 Figure 6..........................40 Figure 7..........................42 Figure 8..........................43 Figure 9..........................44 Exicor MicroImager User Manual... - Page 6 Table of Figures ............................ 45 Figure 10..........................45 Figure 11..........................46 Table 2 Diagnosing common errors ................50 Table 3 Contacting technical support................51 Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
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Page 7: Table Of Tables
Operator Safety Summary Table of Tables Table 01. Software to Rotator Readings........ Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 2 Diagnosing common errors.................50 Table 3 Contacting technical support ................51 Exicor MicroImager User Manual... - Page 8 Table of Tables viii Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
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Page 9: Operator Safety Summary
Model No. _____, Serial No. _____, Manufactured: _____. Power Source This product is intended to operate from a power source that will not apply more than 250 volts rms between the supply conductors or between either the supply Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 10: Do Not Operate Without Covers
Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein, may result in hazardous LED light exposure. Persons other than qualified maintenance personnel should not unnecessarily remove covers. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 11: Mechanical Safety
The Exicor MicroImager contains no user-serviceable components. Refer any maintenance or adjustment needs to Hinds Instruments, Inc. Do not allow any liquids to get inside the equipment. Maintenance of the other elements of the system should be referred to Hinds Instruments, Inc. - Page 12 Electrical Safety Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
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Page 13: System Overview
Most commonly in 2X, 5X, and 10X. To use a different objective, simply unscrew the current objective and replace it with the desired objective. The focus block may need to be readjusted to bring the sample back into focus. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 14: Figure 3 System Main Components
System Description Figure 3 System main components POLARIZER PEM (0° ) CUSTOMER SAMPLE PEM (45° ) POLARIZER (0° ) Figure 4 Main optical components of the system Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 15: General Dimensions
Chapter 1: System Overview General Dimensions Figure 5 Dimensions Exicor MicroImager User Manual... - Page 16 General Dimensions Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
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Page 17: System Operating Requirements/Setup
The instrument should require no further adjustment for most applications. Regularly zeroing the system will ensure the best low level sensitivity for all measurement parameters. Note: All systems sold by Hinds Instruments are currently installed and supported only through Hinds Instruments, Inc. and authorized distributors. - Page 18 Calibration Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
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Page 19: Operating The System
During hardware initialization, the user might notice the LED and camera will initialize using the settings from the previous use. If there are no errors during the initialization phase, the main window will come up as shown in Figure 6. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 20: Loading A Sample
This system includes a basic manually operated sample stage. The best way to get reproducible measurements is to make a custom sample holder that holds the sample and fastens to the stage in a repeatable way. Hinds Instruments can also supply custom sample holders as an option. -
Page 21: Measuring A Sample
Once the scan starts, there is a status bar at the bottom showing the amount of progress of the scan. When the scan is complete, the software will switch to the Data tab and display the results as shown in Figure 8. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 22: System Shutdown
System Shutdown ® 1. Close the Exicor software. Move the start/stop switch to the OFF position. All hardware devices inside the system will shut down. The PC and monitor can be shut down independently if necessary. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... - Page 23 Chapter 3: Operating the System Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
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Page 24: Software Interface
Calibration The system does not need to be recalibrated on a regular basis but it is up to the user to decide if they want to recalibrate the system. Reasons Hinds Instruments would recommend recalibration include the following: 1. Moving the system from to a different room. -
Page 25: Setting Exposure
However, letting too much light into the camera will cause over exposure. In the LIVE screen this will manifest itself in the pixel becoming red as shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 Over exposure Live Screen. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 26: Changing Objectives
If needed, it is possible to collect data faster than in standard mode. However, the noise of the image will increase slightly. To change from Standard to Fast Mode, click on the drop down menu under Mode to select the desired speed. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 27: Offsets
Auto max/min or Full max/min buttons on the right side of the screen or setting custom values. Auto max/min will use the pixels with the lowest and highest values to determine the maximum and minimum. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 28: Analysis
Analysis To access the data analysis tools, click on the tab in the upper right hand corner. This will bring up a screen similar to what is shown in Figure 12. Figure 12 Analysis Toolbar Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 29: Figure 13 Shape Tool Examples
• Rectangle- simple rectangle. Finished with one click. • Ellipse- all manner of round shapes. Finished with one click. • Polygon- multiple lines but will enclose an area. Finished with two clicks. Figure 13 Shape Tool Examples. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 30: Figure 14 Shape Tool Options
Histograms: Histograms for the Retardance and the Angle of the Fast Axis are found at the bottom of the Analysis Toolbar. The histograms can be manipulated using the mouse. • Left click brings back the value at that part of the histogram. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 31: Multi-Order Samples
1. Measure the exact same area on two, three, or four wavelengths depending on what hardware you have installed on your MicroImager. 2. The datasets (and all previous datasets) will appear in the data sets tab as found in Figure 15. Figure 15 Dataset Tab. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 32: Auto-Collect
Sometimes, it is desirable to collect a number of samples with some repeatable amount of time between them. To do this, you can use the auto collect feature. It is found in the bottom left corner as shown in Figure 17. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 33: Figure 17 Auto Collect Main Window
2. Then input the interval of time in between each scan and the number of samples. Then click “Auto collect.” 3. A window similar to Figure 18 will appear. Click “Start” when ready. Figure 18 Auto Collect Start Window. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 34: Figure 19 Auto Collect Status Window
4. While the measurements are running, you will see a window similar to Figure 19. When the measurements are finished, you will see a window similar to Figure 18. If you are finished, simply close out the window. Figure 19 Auto Collect Status Window. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 35: Calibration
If it isn’t possible to make the stage level, remove the panel behind the stage with a M3 hex wrench, then loosen the stage, level it, and retighten the screws. Check to make sure the stage is level again after retightening the screws. Figure 19. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 36: Figure 2
Calibration Procedure Figure 20. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 37: Figure 3
Chapter 4: Software Interface 2. Open software. You will see a screen similar to Figure 21. Figure 21. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 38: Figure 4
Taking data for the intensity, phase lag, and Amplitude. This however, should only need to be done one time. 5. After making sure that there is nothing in the light path, click on the words “Light Intensity.” Then click on the button that reads “Collect.” Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 39: Figure 5
6. The software will run through a procedure and you will see results graphing to the side. When the software stops, click on the words “LED.” You should see a window similar to Figure 23. Figure 23. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 40: Figure 6
If you have calibrated one objective, exited, then opened the calibration window again to add another, there is no need to recalibrate each objective. The software will use the stored calibration for the known objective and only the new objective needs to be calibrated. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... - Page 41 Hinds Instruments, Inc. The use of non-authorized optical objectives, or any objectives that have not been fully-characterized according to factory specifications, may result in non-optimal data. While it is...
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Page 42: Figure 7
Calibration Procedure 10. For the final eight configurations, line up the calibration sample provided by Hinds Instruments onto the objective as shown in Figure 25. Figure 25. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 43: Figure 8
11. Be sure the front of the rotator is square to the stage as shown in Figure 26. This is best accomplished by raising the stage to support the mount. (This also ensures that everything is flat) Figure 26. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 44: Figure 9
12. Tighten the screw as shown in Figure 27 to center the optic under the objective, place blue mounting putty as shown in Figure 28 to keep the optic from moving. It is important that the optic be as flat as possible with respect to the optical train. Figure 27. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... - Page 45 These are represented in the software by 0, 22.5, 45, 67.5 90, 112.5, 135, and 157.5 degrees. For sign convention continuity, rotate the optic to read 0 for the 0 degree measurement, 22.5 for the 22.5 degree measurement etc. Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
- Page 46 ‘Report’. This file will contain comma separated text describing the results of the calibration. 17. If needed, it is possible to add objectives here and calibrate those following the same procedure. When finished click OK and restart the software. Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
- Page 47 Chapter 4: Software Interface Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
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Page 48: Maintenance
• Understand all mechanical and electrical hazards that exist in the system. Cleaning the Exterior When cleaning the exterior of the Exicor MicroImager, care should be taken not to scratch the surface or let liquids get inside the system. An ammonia-based cleaner (such as glass cleaner) works well for cleaning the outside. - Page 49 Chapter 4: Software Interface Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
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Page 50: Troubleshooting & Help
The software plug the cables back in and turn the An error within the software freezes system back on. Be sure to plug USB cables back into the same port on the Table 2 Diagnosing common errors Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 51: Contacting Hinds Instruments
Chapter 6: Troubleshooting And Help Contacting Hinds Instruments If it is necessary to contact Hinds Instruments for support, refer to the following table for the company contact information. Method Information Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM PST Telephone... -
Page 52: A Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications The Exicor MicroImager is an easy-to-use system for imaging the birefringence in optical materials. The system includes a sample stage to move the sample for measuring areas up to 76 x 50 mm and function with 2X, 5X, and 10X objectives. -
Page 53: Software Features
1. To comply with CE regulations, all I/O cables connected to the Exicor MicroImager must not exceed 3 meters in length. 2. To comply with CE regulations, the Exicor MicroImager system connection cables, originally shipped with the system, must be used to connect the system. Only replacements configured the same way are allowed. - Page 54 CE Approval Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
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Page 55: B Exicor ® Microimager Limited Warranty
MicroImager Limited Warranty ® Hinds Instruments, Inc. warrants the Exicor MicroImager to be free from defects in materials and/or workmanship for (1) year from the date of delivery, subject to the provisions contained herein. Hinds’ warranty shall extend to the original purchaser only and shall be limited to factory repair or replacement of defective parts. -
Page 56: Non-Warranty Repairs
Repairs are warranted for ninety (90) days from the date of delivery. Reference chapter 7 (Troubleshooting & Help) on page 50 for contacting technical support. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... - Page 57 . h i n d s i n s t r u m e n t s . c o m COPYRIGHT © 2012 HINDS INSTRUMENTS, INC All Rights Reserved MANUFACTURED IN USA UNDER PATENTS & PATENTS PENDING...
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