Microscopes ease production operators' tasks

Stereo zoom microscopes make everyday life easier for production operators at a super precision bearing manufacturer.

Nikon's stereo zoom microscopes make everyday life easier for production operators at super precision bearing manufacturer, The Barden Corporation (UK).

Nikon's SMZ 800 proves to be the perfect precision inspection microscope.

A classic example of how the Nikon SMZ800 stereo zoom microscope has impacted on working lives and removed the energy sapping potential of neck ache, low back pain and sore eyes, is in the inspection centre operated by one of the world1s leading manufacturers of precision bearings - The Barden Corporation (UK) Ultimate precision demands ultimate inspection Barden's UK manufacturing operation is based in Plymouth, Devon.

The Barden Corporation (UK) is a division of the FAG Kugelfischer Group and is world renowned for providing high precision bearings for a variety of applications, particularly for hostile environments such as the rigours of space or immense pressures of the deep ocean.

Barden bearing technology has been used in the Space Shuttle and nuclear submarines, as well as countless aerospace applications, where ultra-precision and complete reliability in extreme situations is absolutely essential - visiting a satellite in space to change a bearing is not a task that bears thinking about, so component failure is simply not an option.

The high speed drill used by your dentist operates at up to 500,000 rpm - the bearings that enable this phenomenal speed without incident are also manufactured by Barden (UK).

And the ultimate automotive test bed - Formula 1, relies on Barden (UK) components for suspension and clutch assemblies - Williams, Jaguar and BAR being just a few of the world famous high-speed users.

Health and Safety is a key issue for many companies - John Dyer is a Senior Manufacturing Engineer at Barden, and he is responsible for specifying and purchasing microscopes for the inspection department.

He revealed, "In recent years Health and Safety practice and ergonomic issues have been a major focus for many manufacturing companies, particularly where individuals are required to spend long periods of their working day inspecting precision components using a microscope.

We started a development program with more focus on ergonomic issues after realising that prolonged use of the previous system was not natural or totally comfortable.

The SMZ800 allows for natural posture which eliminates any potential for minor back or neck discomfort." Our staff 'chose' their own microscopes for comfort and ease of use John continued, "Initially we approached a number of the leading suppliers and invited them to tender for the supply and technical service support of new inspection microscopes.

It was Metrology Direct - a leading, national distributor of Nikon metrology and microscopy equipment, based in Stroud, Gloucestershire that proposed the solution.

They analysed the inspection application and made a recommendation that we should try the Nikon SMZ800 stereo zoom microscope.

This was tested alongside a number of competitive units and fully evaluated by the users.

The SMZ800 was the unanimous choice of the inspection team.

Naturally, economics played a part in the selection process, but gains in productivity and staff welfare considerations more than offset any price differential." Dramatic improvement in productivity - John pointed out, "On the advice of Mike John from Metrology Direct we moved away from the fluorescent light sources and selected a solution that satisfied both our immediate health and safety concerns and resolved the back bending ergonomic issues.

The end result has been a dramatic success - our operators are much happier now, which has resulted in a marked improvement in productivity.

Our inspection operators are always a happy bunch, but now far prefer using the five new SMZ800 microscopes to the old units, Production Operator Paula Pellow reporting that 3it had really made a significant difference to her working life" Built with people in mind - the success lies in the fact that the Nikon SMZ 800 is a stereo zoom microscope with a difference.

It has been carefully designed and developed to facilitate the perfect observation posture for every operator, thus eliminating the aching neck muscles and strained back syndrome often encountered when operators are forced to stoop forward to look into the fixed eyepieces of conventional units.

Multiple adjustments, including tilting eyepieces, enable the perfect viewing position to be achieved, while a low position focus knob is always within easy reach, even when resting your arm on the base of the unit.

Nikon has ensured that as many as three eye level risers can be added to accommodate even the tallest user.

Naturally, the Nikon SMZ800 is a powerful, yet practical work tool, with high magnifications and a large zoom ratio.

For brighter, sharper images Nikon has developed a new series of objectives, featuring high N As (Numerical Apertures) and huge resolving power of up to 300 lines/ mm, guaranteeing pin-sharp images with the minimum of flare at the edges.

For operator comfort it is vitally important that protracted microscope use does not cause excessive eye strain.

Nikon spent many months sorting out the problems of chromatic aberration and lens distortion, resulting in a range of zoom microscopes that produce clear stereoscopic views that are both undistorted and in brilliant, true to life colour.

We have redefined visual standards based on this Nikon technology John Dyer concluded, "We have redefined our visual standards based on the Nikon SMZ microscopes.

This unit has set a level of image clarity and glare-free illumination that we have never previously enjoyed.

It has totally proven itself in our inspection department and it is our intention to utilise this technology in other areas to meet the same standard.

I am delighted with the Nikon units and will be inviting Metrology Direct to supply further systems in the future.".

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