Stereo Inspection Microscope

Olympus SZ30 — Stereo Inspection Microscope

Purpose & Capabilities

• Stereo zoom microscope designed for electronics inspection, soldering, PCB rework, and fine mechanical work

• Provides true depth perception for precise hand‑tool operations

• Wide working distance allows use of soldering irons, tweezers, hot‑air tools, and probes under the optics

• Uses Olympus G‑series eyepieces (commonly 10×, 15×, 20×)

Access Level

• General Member Use

• No reservation required

• Handle with care — optical alignment is delicate

• Do not adjust internal screws or attempt disassembly

Before You Begin

• Ensure the microscope is:

  • Clean and free of debris on the stage area

  • Securely mounted on its stand or boom arm

  • Free of fingerprints on eyepieces and objective windows

• Adjust the workstation lighting:

  • Use the ring light or side illumination as needed

  • Avoid harsh glare on reflective PCBs

• Set eyepiece spacing (interpupillary distance) for comfortable viewing

• If you wear glasses, fold down the eyecups for better field of view

Operating Guidelines

Zoom & Focus

• The SZ30 typically offers a zoom range around 0.7× to 3×

• Use the zoom knobs on each side to adjust magnification

• Use the focus knob on the stand to bring the workpiece into sharp view

• Higher magnification reduces depth of field — adjust lighting accordingly

Working Under the Microscope

• Keep tools below the objective — avoid bumping the optics

• Move the workpiece, not the microscope head

• For soldering:

  • Use lower magnification for broad work

  • Zoom in for inspection

• For PCB inspection:

  • Tilt the board slightly to catch solder joints with angled light

  • Use the ring light for uniform illumination

Supported Use Cases

• Soldering and rework

• PCB trace inspection

• Connector and pin alignment

• Mechanical assembly of small parts

• Jewelry or fine craft inspection

• Small‑scale machining or carving detail work

Care & Etiquette

• Never touch the objective lenses or internal optics

• Clean eyepieces only with lens paper — no shirts, tissues, or shop rags

• Do not force the zoom knobs

• Keep the workspace free of solder balls, wire clippings, and flux residue

• Turn off the ring light when finished

• Report any looseness in the boom arm or stand immediately

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

• Image not sharp

  • Adjust interpupillary distance

  • Refocus using the stand’s focus knob

• Uneven lighting

  • Reposition ring light or add side illumination

• Double image / eye strain

  • Eyepieces may be misaligned — notify a volunteer

• Dust specks in view

  • Usually on eyepieces, not internal optics — clean gently with lens paper