Levenhuk 320 Series Biological Microscopes
This document provides comprehensive information for the Levenhuk 320 Series Biological Microscopes, covering general use, detailed parts, operation, specifications, and maintenance.
Product Models
The Levenhuk 320 Series includes the following models:
- Levenhuk 320 BASE
- Levenhuk D320L BASE
- Levenhuk 320 PLUS
- Levenhuk D320L PLUS
General Use and Safety
Levenhuk 320 series biological microscopes are designed for observing specimens using transmitted light. They are suitable for various scientific fields, including biology, ecology, medicine, veterinary science, technological research, and educational presentations.
Important Safety Warning: Never, under any circumstances, look directly at the Sun, another bright source of light, or at a laser through this device. Doing so may cause PERMANENT RETINAL DAMAGE and lead to BLINDNESS.
Microscope Parts
The microscope is comprised of several key components. The document includes diagrams illustrating these parts, with numbered labels corresponding to the descriptions below.
| Part Number | English Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eyepiece | The lens closest to the eye, used for viewing the magnified image. |
| 2 | Monocular head | Houses the eyepiece and connects to the arm; designed for single-eye viewing. It is typically mounted at an angle and can be rotated. |
| 3 | Revolving nosepiece | A rotating turret that holds multiple objective lenses, allowing for quick and easy switching between different magnifications. |
| 4 | Arm | Connects the head, stage, and base, providing structural support and a handle for carrying the microscope. |
| 5 | Objective lenses | Lenses mounted on the revolving nosepiece, providing primary magnification of the specimen. Common magnifications include 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x. |
| 6 | Mechanical scale | A scale, often found on the stage, used for precise measurement and positioning of specimens. |
| 7 | Stage | The platform where the specimen slide is placed for observation. It often includes clips to hold the slide in place and mechanisms for movement. |
| 8 | Focus adjustment knob | Used to move the stage (or objective) vertically for image focusing. Typically includes both coarse and fine adjustment knobs for precise focusing. |
| 9 | Condenser | Located below the stage, this system of lenses gathers and directs light through the specimen, often with an iris diaphragm to control light intensity and contrast. |
| 10 | Coaxial stage control | Knobs that move the stage horizontally (X and Y axes) for precise specimen positioning without touching the slide directly. |
| 11 | Illumination | The light source, usually located in the base, that provides light for viewing the specimen. It can be a lamp or LED. |
| 12 | Base | The bottom support of the microscope, housing the illumination source, electronics, and control mechanisms. |
| 13 | Illumination switch | A switch to turn the illumination source on and off. |
| 14 | Brightness adjustment wheel | A control to adjust the intensity of the illumination source. |
Using the Microscope
Getting Started
- Unpack the microscope and verify all parts are present.
- Move the stage to its lowest position using the focusing knob.
- Connect the microscope to AC power using the adapter. Some models (e.g., 320 PLUS) may also operate on batteries.
- Turn on the illumination and adjust it to evenly light the specimen.
- Insert the eyepiece into the eyepiece tube.
- Slowly adjust the illumination brightness from dark to light. Dim the illumination before unplugging the power cable.
- If replacing the light bulb, unplug the microscope first.
Focusing
- Place a specimen slide on the stage and secure it with the holders.
- Select the lowest magnification objective (e.g., 4x) by rotating the revolving nosepiece.
- Center the specimen in the field of view.
- Slowly raise the stage using the focusing knob until the objective is close to the specimen, carefully monitoring the distance to avoid contact.
- Look through the eyepiece and slowly lower the stage with the focusing knob until a sharp image is visible.
- Adjust the diaphragm disk to control brightness; increase light for dark images, decrease for bright images.
Selecting the Objective
- Begin observations with the lowest magnification objective. Center the desired specimen area precisely in the field of view.
- Switch to higher magnification objectives by rotating the revolving nosepiece. Readjust focus and illumination as needed.
- For 100x objective lenses, apply immersion oil to the space between the lens and the specimen. Ensure no air bubbles are present in the oil. Clean lenses after use with appropriate materials (e.g., lens paper, isopropyl alcohol).
Digital Camera
Models Levenhuk D320L BASE and D320L PLUS include a digital camera that fits into the eyepiece tube. This camera allows for detailed observation of specimens on a PC monitor and saving images. It connects via a USB cable, which also provides power.
Microscope Specifications
| Feature | 320 BASE | D320L BASE | 320 PLUS | D320L PLUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | biological | biological, digital | biological | biological, digital |
| Optics material | optical glass | |||
| Head | monocular, inclined at 45°, 360° rotatable | |||
| Eyepiece tube diameter | 23.2mm | |||
| Magnification | 40-1000x | 40-1000x | 40-1600x | 40-1600x |
| Revolving nosepiece | quadruple | |||
| Objective lenses | achromatic 4x/0.1, 10x/0.25, 40x/0.65, 100x/1.25 (oil immersion) | |||
| Eyepieces | WF10x | WF10x | WF10x with pointer, WF16x with pointer | WF10x with pointer, WF16x with pointer |
| Condenser | Abbe N.A. 1.25 with iris diaphragm | |||
| Illumination | halogen lamp 20W, lower illumination with brightness adjustment | LED 0.75W, lower illumination with brightness adjustment | halogen lamp 20W, lower illumination with brightness adjustment | LED 0.75W, lower illumination with brightness adjustment |
| Focus system | coaxial with coarse (20mm) and fine (0.02mm) adjustment | |||
| Stage | double layer mechanical stage with mechanical scale, 110×125mm | |||
| Body material | metal | |||
| Power supply | 110V, 50Hz | 110V, 50Hz or three AA batteries | 110V, 50Hz | 110V, 50Hz or three AA batteries |
| Filters | blue | blue, yellow, green | blue | blue, yellow, green |
| Immersion oil | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Dust cover | no | yes | no | yes |
| Digital camera | no | yes | no | yes |
Digital Camera Specifications
| Feature | D320L BASE Digital camera | D320L PLUS Digital camera |
|---|---|---|
| Max. resolution (for still images) | 2048×1536px | 2048×1536px |
| Megapixels | 3 | 3.1 |
| Sensor | 1/2.7 | 1/2 |
| Pixel size | 2.2×2.2µm | 3.2×3.2µm |
| Mounting location | eyepiece tube (replaces the eyepiece) | |
| Image format | *.jpg, *.bmp, *.png, etc. | |
| Spectral range | 380-650nm | 400-650nm |
| Exposure | ERS | ERS |
| Software image control | image size, brightness | image size, brightness, exposure control |
| Interface | USB 2.0, 480Mb/s | |
| System requirements | Windows XP (32-bit), Windows Vista/7/8/10/11 (32-bit or 64-bit), Mac OS X, Linux, CPU Intel Core 2 or above; RAM 2GB, USB port 2.0, CD-ROM | |
| USB cable | yes | |
| Software CD | yes | |
| Camera adapter | no | yes |
The manufacturer reserves the right to make changes to the product range and specifications without prior notice.
Care and Maintenance
Safety Precautions: Avoid looking at the Sun or lasers. Use adult supervision for children. Check the microscope for integrity before first use. Do not disassemble the device; contact a service center for repairs. Protect from impact and excessive force. Do not overtighten screws. Avoid touching optical surfaces with fingers.
Cleaning: Use only Levenhuk cleaning wipes and optics cleaning tools. Do not use corrosive or acetone-based fluids. For abrasive particles like sand, blow them off or brush away gently. Do not use the device for extended periods unattended or in direct sunlight. Keep away from water and high humidity.
Storage: Replace the dust cover after use. For long-term storage, separate objective lenses and eyepieces. Store in a dry, cool place away from chemicals, heat sources, and open flames. Keep away from flammable materials as the base may heat up.
Electrical Safety: Always unplug the microscope before opening the base or changing the lamp. Allow lamps to cool before replacement. Use only the specified power supply voltage. Incorrect voltage can damage the microscope or cause a short circuit.
General Safety: Children should use the device under adult supervision. Seek immediate medical advice if a small part or battery is swallowed.
Battery Safety Instructions
Use only the correct size and grade of batteries. Replace all batteries simultaneously, ensuring they are of the same type and age. Clean battery contacts and device contacts before installation. Ensure correct polarity (+/-) is observed. Remove batteries from equipment not in use for extended periods. Remove used batteries promptly. Never short-circuit batteries. Do not heat batteries. Do not disassemble batteries. Switch off devices after use. Keep batteries out of reach of children.
Levenhuk International Lifetime Warranty
Levenhuk optical products, including microscopes, come with a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Levenhuk accessories are warranted for six months from the purchase date. For warranty service, contact a local Levenhuk office. For more details, visit www.levenhuk.com/warranty.
Levenhuk Limited Warranty – Levenhuk’s official website in USA
