Best Scientific have completed a major service, repair, and upgrade of another research level, life science microscope.

The University of Sheffield contacted us recently for an evaluation of their existing microscope program. One of the standout machines in the department was a Leica DMIRB inverted compound microscope. This had not been used for approximately 6 years, but the department asked me to propose a plan to get this up and running once again. The client felt that this system had many core attributes that were applicable to their current requirements, so I was keen to help and bring it up to speed.

Initial evaluation

• Atmospheric cabinet in place, not working and not needed.
• Faulty focusing Unit “Z” axis – drops sharply.
• Interpupillary adjustment seized not moving.
• Quick release stage clips missing – XY movement not working properly.
• Outdated Mercury illumination incident light module.
• No C-mount adapter or Microscopy camera for taking images.
• Transmitted light function not working – suspected bulb.
• Plenty of dirt and marks.

Due to the age of the microscope (>10 years since discontinuation) original spares were no longer available from Leica. Therefore, this microscope had to be fixed using new retrofit reversed engineered parts and modern upgrades only. I submitted a proposal to the client detailing all of servicing, repairs, and upgrades we were able to offer, with itemized pricing, and got the go ahead for the refurb.

Repairs and upgrades

• Removal of the atmospheric cabinet.
• Microscope strip down to individual parts, evaluate condition further.
• Repair faulty Z focusing drive.
  • Reason for fault was a broken gear shaft (as image).
  • No longer available from Leica, so manufactured and retrofit a new shaft.
• Free frozen interpupillary eyepiece adjustment.
  • Seized due to inaction.
  • Stripped down and lubricated accordingly.
• Repair / Replace quick release stage clips.
  • No longer available from Leica, so manufactured a new equivalent.
• Install new LED light source.
  • To change from Mercury, increase efficiency and kelvin value.
• Added a new HDMI camera &  C-Mount to maximise field of View (FOV).
  • Included measurement facility required by client.
• Replace Halogen bulb in transmitted illuminator.
• Clean everything, rebuild, align, and calibrate!

Results

The DMIRB Leica was an interesting and challenging refurb project, and I was pleased with the outcome. Applying suitable upgrade products from our portfolio gave this machine an extended life cycle beyond what the manufacturer originally intended, and no longer supports.

These upgrades made it possible for the user to benefit from newer technologies that were not included in the original configuration (HDMI camera with measuring technology and LED illumination with higher kelvin factor). The user has received an updated system and extended its life, for a lower cost than a brand new microscope of this equivalent.

The repairs in this case were custom but the cost was strictly monitored to make sure the process was justified. Most importantly in doing so, kept the machine out of the scrapyard.

If you have specific microscopy requirements, already own older systems that you would like to repair or upgrade, please do consult with us as we are flexible in our approach to providing suitable solutions, to fit your application and budget. Please do contact James Best of Best scientific via this website or directly via  james@bestscientific.co.uk