This video explains how to install and calibrate the coded zoom knob kit for the S9 i and S9 D stereo microscopes from Leica Microsystems. It takes only a few minutes …..
Transcript
First, we start by removing the set screw on the left zoom knob with a 2.5 mm hex key, then remove the zoom knob completely. Ensure the zoom is set at the lowest position before proceeding. Replace the zoom knob with the encoder. Tighten until the encoder is flush with the zoom body.
Connect the cable’s micro-USB connector to the encoder. Then, connect the opposite end to an available USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port on your computer. You don’t need to worry about driver installation because they’re automatically installed when LAS X 3.0.6 or greater is installed on your computer.
Let’s configure the software to recognize the encoder. First, ensure that LAS X software is closed. Double-click the “LAS-X Hardware Configurator” icon on your desktop. Now, select the “Hardware
Setup” icon. Ensure that the S9 D or S9 i is selected in the drop-down menu for the microscope. Check the box to select “coded knob”. This option is only displayed if the encoder is connected to the computer. Click “OK”, then exit the hardware configurator.
Now, let’s open the LAS X software.
Before we can use the encoder, we need to calibrate the zoom knob position. From the “Configuration” tab, select “Microscope”, then “Fine Tuning”. On the microscope set the zoom knob at the lowest position, then click “Go to lower limit”. Next, set the zoom knob to the highest magnification, then select “Go to upper limit”. Last, zoom in to the 1x position, then click “Go to nominal 1.0x”. The zoom calibration is complete.
Now, let’s test the encoder by clicking the “Acquire” tab. Select the “Magnification” icon on the left. This window displays both the main magnification of the main front lens, as well as the zoom position read by the encoder. Notice how the zoom slider updates dynamically, as it constantly reads the correct magnification of the zoom knob. Also, notice how the scale bar dynamically and accurately resizes as you change the zoom knob. Now, the operator no longer has to remember to manually enter the microscope zoom value, increasing workflow speed and ensuring a higher level of measurement certainty.
Lastly, it’s always a good idea to perform a measured calibration with a NIST certified stage micrometer to ensure the highest level of measurement accuracy. The calibration wizard is easily accessible in the camera’s preferences menu.
