Dear List,

I had a nice long reply drafted, was interrupted by one of our confocal users, and some how I've deleted the email! So here I go again.

Like Guy, I really can't see that the lenses are at any greater risk on weekends compared to business hours. The only lens we've had damaged was on a conventional microscope during the week. I'm not going to have a microscope expert stationed at every microscope to avoid this happening.

Turning confocals on and off is really quite a simple task. I instruct all users to put the arc lamp and laser on first. That's the only area where they may cause damage (even that is remote with most Hg power supplies).

All but the most infrequent users I'd be happy to use the confocal after hours. I have a laminated sheet that sits beside the keyboard spelling out the switch on and off procedures. But really how much trouble can they get into turning it on or off? Beside all switches I have placed a bright fluorescent, numbered sticker that corresponds to the instructions. This is more a security blanket for the users than anything else. I instruct all users to wind the focus right to the bottom, so that if the next user was to spin the nosepiece around the lenses would be safe. The main benefit of this policy is that it acts as a constant reminder to look after the lenses.

Everyone is instructed to wipe the oil lens clean at the end and to put away the water immersion lens. I check periodically after users have left to see that people have complied, if not I give them a gentle reminder. It is just as easy to check the lenses first thing Monday morning as it is 3pm Wed. afternoon. 

During business hours, after initial instruction, I remove myself from the confocal room, but make myself available if they have any questions. This rapidly builds confidence and independence in the user. I always tell new users that they are very unlikely to break anything as long as they don't bash the lens. So I don't see why it should be any different on the weekend. 

For those interested I've cut and pasted the turn on and off instructions below.

Cheers
Stephen H. Cody

Microscopy Manager
Central Resource for Advanced Microscopy
Ludwig Institute For Cancer Research
Post Office Royal Melbourne Hospital
Parkville  Victoria    3050
Australia
Tel: 61 3 9341 3155    Fax: 61 3 9341 3104
email: [log in to unmask] 
www.ludwig.edu.au/labs/confocal.html

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Central Resource for Advanced Microscopy
Bio-Rad MRC-1000/1024 
Confocal Microscope Switch On Procedure
Safety Check! Check that there is a lens, cap, or alignment prism in every position of the lens nosepiece.
(1)	Turn ON power (power point). Left-hand side of room.
If you require conventional fluorescence
(2)	Turn on power switch of arc lamp power supply.
(3)	Press and HOLD ignition button of arc lamp power supply for approximately 5 seconds (until your hear a second click).
(4)	Turn on power supply for laser. Turn key ¼ turn clockwise
(5)	Turn on System Control Unit (SCU, the large cream coloured box under bench).  
(6)	Turn on the computer. Push button in recess.
(7)	When computer has finished booting, double click left mouse button on the “Acquisition” icon.

Switch Off Procedure
(1)	Shutdown “Acquisition” Software. Click on the  “    ” symbol, top right corner.
(2)	Transfer files with FTP software.
(3)	Check files on Ludwig computer, to see if they’re intact. Check the last image of Z or Time series files.
(4)	If all images have transferred safely, delete images from the confocal computers local hard drive.
(5)	Shutdown FTP software. Click on the  “    ” symbol, top right corner.
(6)	Close down computer. Click on “Shutdown” icon, near the bottom left corner of screen.
(7)	Turn off SCU
(8)	Turn off laser power supply. Turn the key ¼ turn counter-clockwise.
(9)	Turn off arc lamp power supply
(10)	When the computer says it is safe: Turn off computer.
(11)	Turn off isolation switch on wall. Left side of room.
(12)	With a new, clean Kimwipe, wipe any oil from oil immersion objective OR water from water immersion lens. Whilst cleaning lenses always use a fresh part of the Kimwipe for each consecutive wiping action. If the water immersion lens was used, please put it away, replacing another lens on the nosepiece.
(13)	Clean top of microscope stage of any spilt liquids.
(14)	If focus lock was used. Check focus lock is disengaged. Check focus torsion is set to approximately half.
(15)	Wind focus knobs so that the lenses are all the way down.
(16)	Safety Check! Check that there is a lens, cap, or alignment prism in every position of the lens nosepiece.
(17)	Double check that the only instrument light on is ONE AMBER light on the monitor.
(18)	Please leave the air-conditioning ON. Please don’t alter temperature or other settings.