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From: John Doe on 24 Dec 2009 00:39
don(a)manx.misty.com (Don Klipstein) wrote:

> John Doe wrote:
>> Harry D <harryd(a)tdsystems.org> wrote:

>>> Gentlemen of this distingushed group, How do you read labels
>>> on small ICs such as the ThinSOT or DFN packs that are 2mm x
>>> 3mm?
>>
>>An inexpensive ~$50 digital microscope like a Carson Z-pix
>>MM-640. Plugs into your USB port, no battery power. Has four
>>bright LEDs. The object must be less than 1" away. The maximum
>>viewing area is at least 1/2".

> I have a couple other tools handy:
>
> 1. My Canon Powershot A640 digital camera can get ridiculously
> close to things, like half an inch.

My bottom-of-the-line Nikon cannot do that.

One plus to the dirt cheap USB microscope is that it shows the
image on my monitor in real time, a huge and very clear image.

> The frame can be filled with something half the size of a
> postage stamp. At 1 inch away, a 2x3 mm object should still
> show up well.
>
> 2. Since I do a fair amount of simple optical work for
> developing various LED lighting products, I have among things
> plenty of lenses handy.

Coincidentally, I just took a snapshot of a powerful Xlamp XR LED
with the USB microscope. It is a small file, will post it after
this message, FWIW.
--
















> For example, several convex ones with focal length in the range of 3/4
> inch to 1.75 inches as well as longer. I find ones with focal length in
> the 1-1.5 inch range very convenient for looking at the tinyest things.
>
> - Don Klipstein (don(a)misty.com)
>

From: Joerg on 24 Dec 2009 15:01
John Doe wrote:
> Harry D <harryd(a)tdsystems.org> wrote:
>
>> Gentlemen of this distingushed group, How do you read labels on
>> small ICs such as the ThinSOT or DFN packs that are 2mm x 3mm?
>
> An inexpensive ~$50 digital microscope like a Carson Z-pix MM-640.
> Plugs into your USB port, no battery power. Has four bright LEDs.
> The object must be less than 1" away. The maximum viewing area is
> at least 1/2".
>
> There are other brands of digital microscopes, but that is what I
> have. I think it is perfect for what you are talking about (that
> is mostly what I have used it for). The viewing surface must be
> flat so that it can get close enough. The object should be
> clamped/stationary so that you can use your hands to position the
> microscope and focus it. You can see the image on your computer
> screen, and you just click the top button to take a picture that
> is automatically saved.


Try the Veho when you get a chance, has a nice object distance so you
can get the iron in there without melting stuff:

http://www.analogconsultants.com/ng/images/Veho001.jpg

Nowadays I work with the LEDs off most of the time.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.
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