(images will not appear in focus throughout the image plane regardless of how you
adjust the scope)
When not using the microscope for a short period of time, place the passive dust cap
over the ocular lens to prevent dust build up.
If not using your microscope for longer periods consider using a plastic dust cover to
cover the whole scope and so prevent dust build up on the stage and focus gears as well
(alternatively keep it in a cabinet but avoid transparent cabinets exposed to sunlight or
there is a risk of heat deforming the microscope – see section on ‘Avoid excessive heat’
above).
If not using the scope for more extended periods of time it should be field-stripped and
packed away in a soft case (see the You Tube video on how to field strip a PUMA
microscope) and kept in a cool dark place away from moisture / condensation.
To clean the lenses or other optical surfaces use an air duster or pneumatic soft lens
brush to blow away any surface debris first. Then use only a special purpose lens cloth
with lens cleaning solution. Wipe gently and carefully to avoid scratching the lens
coatings. It is best to avoid any wiping with first surface mirror elements such as in the
advanced filter block or binocular head module unless absolutely necessary (an air
duster should be sufficient – tiny particles remaining should not cause significant image
degradations and the risk to damaging the mirror coatings outweighs the benefit of
removing such particles).
When using oil-immersion objectives only use synthetic immersion oil that is designed
for use with microscope objectives (such as OptArc immersion oil) because other types
of oil may damage the lens surface or cements used in fixing the lenses in place. Do not
let oil seep into the spring mechanism of the objective (so keep an oiled objective facing
downwards until you have wiped the oil off it). Wipe oil off an oiled objective
immediately after observations have ceased using a special purpose lens cloth / lens
paper prior to storing the objective in its protective case. Do not use any kind of oil or
other immersion medium with lenses that are not specifically designed for immersion
use.
Keep all unused objectives in their protective cases when not in use. If placing an
objective lens on a work surface. temporarily ensure that surface is free of dust and
place the objective base-side down (i.e. with the threaded end of the objective on the
surface). Do not leave objectives exposed on a surface like this for more than a few
seconds (it may be necessary to do this while changing objectives).
Avoid letting the sun shine directly down the ocular lens of the microscope or on the
microscope mirror when not in use.
Lubricating the
f
ocus
m
echanism
The focus mechanism should be greased occasionally to maintain smooth and
predictable focussing behaviour. How often depends on how much it is used. Do this
about once every 6 months if there is only light use and more often if the scope is used
more extensively. If you notice the focus mechanism behaving erratically, getting stuck,
etc. then this may be because it needs re-greasing.
PUMA Foundation Scope
Page 32 of 40
User’s Manual v1.0