Workable Recording and Documentation System for Microscope Preventive Maintenance

It has been said, “work not recorded is work not done”. Therefore, such job must have a corresponding job request / report. Preventive maintenance report indicating among other things such as, the nature of work done, parts used, date of repair / PM, and other important and useful information are usually found.



Equipment Record
Records shall be maintained which include the
following:
 Name of equipment
 Manufacturer’s name, serial number or other unique identification
 Date received and placed in service
 Condition when received (new, used)
 Records of calibration, date of next calibration
 Details of maintenance carried out
 Current location, where appropriate
 Copy of manufacturer’s operating instructions, where available
History of damage, malfunction or repair

Routine Inspection
 Ocular check of the physical surface
 Checking electrical plugs, sockets, cables, bulbs
 Check screws and other mechanical parts
 Check optical elements from mechanical damage and dirt
Check illumination by plugging it to electric power source


Performance Check
 Run the field stop diaphragm throughout its full range
 Move all the blades of iris by its lever control
 Run the condenser height adjustment full range; check its centering screw if it moves the condenser smoothly.
 Check the mechanical stage if it can move the specimen smoothly and without play throughout its full range. Check by observing at the microscope’s highest magnification.
Parameter: 1 micron stage movement observed at 1000X magnification looks like 1 mm viewed without a microscope and at a distance of 250 mm.
 Objectives mounting shoulder, nosepiece must be absolutely clean. If not, centering and focusing are lost.
 Rotate nosepiece through 360º and observe all clicking stop positions from either side without any play
 Run the fine and coarse adjustment knobs throughout their full range of adjustment.
 Make sure that the upper surface of the stand and the corresponding mounting surfaces of the observation tube must be cleaned & free of corrosion.
 Adjustment of interpupillary distance of the tube must run smoothly and without exerting undue force.
 All optical surfaces must be absolutely cleaned. Pay special attention to: light bulb, cover glass on field stop, condenser front lens, objective front lens, upper surface of eye lens. Inspect and clean accordingly.