USB Microscope for checking etched steel samples?

[kingnero]

Does anyone have one of these?
I am looking for some input regarding to magnification, lighting, easy-to-use tripod (or other pedestal), ...

It would be used for getting digital photos for reports of welding analysis.

a quick google search came up with this, which looks like it would do the job...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swo3Wo7nzUg

any thoughts/suggestions/ things to look out for?

all input much appreciated!

 

[cnova]

I have a USB micriscope @ work. Brand name is Dino-Lite. We used an inexpensive one (<$100US 2 years ago) to check knife serrations that we were deleloping on our 5 axis CNC blade grinder.



Stupidity is the basic building block of the universe. F.Z.

 

[dgallup]

I can't watch YouTube at work so I have no idea what you are linking. We have 2 USB "microscopes", one the company bought for about $300, one I bought for $30. The first one works but we had to put it on a decent height stand. It is hard to focus and the software is crude. The resolution is limited, 1280 x 1024 on it's higher setting. The lighting is not bad but it auto adjusts the exposure so you have very little control. If the image is dark and you turn up the light it automatically reduces the aperture and darkens the image again. The one I bought is much worse, basically a waste of money.

I have been fighting with this thing for several years, taking lousy pictures. Got some images back from a customer this week that just blew me away. They have a Keyence VHX-600. I'm sure it costs a boatload.

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The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn't included in this version of Windows.

 

[kingnero]

@ cnova: any chance you can upload some pics? If it's possible of course... Please also state the magnification as I'd like to know what I can expect.

@ dgallup: same question for the $300 one ?
a quick search informed me that a VHX-600 costs $32.500, let's say I'm more interested for one in the $100 - $300 price range I won't be selling both kidneys and a lung for a gadget like that...

If they are worthless for making good, focused pics of a shiney piece of steel, it would be a shame for throwing money at them. And when buying on-line, there's not really an option for trying out a few... Hence my questions.

 

[metengr]

Looks like a portable, hand-type magnifier that provides digital pictures. This is not a true microscope.

 

[metengr]

It would be used for getting digital photos for reports of welding analysis.

What type of analysis regarding welding? General locations of the weld and heat affected zone sizes? Maybe. If you are looking to characterize the microstructure, you need a portable microscope below

http://www.struers.com/default.asp?top_id=3&main_id=13&sub_id=54&doc_id=284

 

[kingnero]

I don't know the translation,
but it goes as follows: destructive testing, where you take a cross section of a weld, you grind and polish it which is followed by etching with a solution of nitric acid.

I'd like to put a visual "proof" of this testing in digital from in reports.

It isn't really a "true" microscope, you've got a point. That is the search term though when you google it... my mistake.

It ideally would produce pictures as the one in attachment (preferably a bit more magnification).

 

[kingnero]

Edit previous message: after carefully seeing what I uploaded, I need much more magnification: enough to distinguish pearlite, cementite, martensite and such in Carbon steel.

 

[metengr]

Then you need..............

http://www.struers.com/default.asp?top_id=3&main_id=13&sub_id=54&doc_id=284

 

[kingnero]

Thanks for the link, however (but i'm currently still looking what the price locally would be) I think that's out of my price range. I am currently starting my own, one-man, welding business. Doing mostly welding projects to get started, and building up capital along the way, but being a welding engineer (IWE) as well, I'd also do expertises and helping local welding companys with administration (WPS, local (=national and European) directives and such) and pointing out the problem when things go wrong.

Capital at this moment limits my choices to a few $100 .
Hence I was hoping for something that is more or less decent bang for the buck. I can always upgrade later.
I appreciate your opinion however, I should have made my point more clearer in the opening post.

 

[metengr]

kingnero;
My recommendation is to subcontract with one or more labs and have them do this activity if you intend to do consulting. If a resouce can do an activity faster and more efficient than you, work with them. Trying to do one-stop shopping in-house is risky.

At this point, I plan on finally retiring in July, and have already established contacts and a model for consulting.

 

[kingnero]

I agree for more advanced problems, but for quick checking if heat input is acceptable, or if you're burning througn deep enough (cold laps in english?), it would be quicker to have something alike in-house.

I do understand your concerns, I plan on further learning the ropes from a local (on national level) authority and I know the value of collaborating with specialised firms (like placing and analysing strain gauges on bridges and such).

I gotta say, it's one of the gadgets I would like to have, I'm quite sure in a few years it'll be the favourite toy of my kids, and it'll come in handy any time of the day so I'll probably buy one just for the fun of it.

 

[Guest102023]

This is one of the better examples of such instruments, but it is NOT a metallurgical microscope and not a substitute for one. It is more like a small telescope, very useful for snapping pictures of insects and coins.

The problem is the people marketing this stuff don't know the difference, and neither do many of their clients, so I suspect there are many discarded units sitting in drawers in testing labs.

 

[Guest102023]

metengr,

I hope you are not retiring from eng-tips! My consulting work could suffer!

 

[kingnero]

Brimstoner,

I am focusing (pun intended) now on a second hand inverted microscope from a reputable brand.
I have a rather large network, I'll spread the question at all the firms I come in contact with. If nothing comes up in the next few months, I'll have to reconsider my "wanted"-list.

But I'll take your advice and save up for something that is more worth the money than that. But downside is, microscopes (trinocular) is a rather large $-step up if I want something that is capable of making digital pictures (and from a reputable brand)...

 

[Guest102023]

kingnero,

I face the same problem in my business, and (so far) I employ a met lab on an as-needed basis.
Your best option may be a cheap Indian- or China-made knock-off of a quality US or European 'scope.

 

[kingnero]

You wouldn't have an opinion on Amscope microscopes?
They seem interesting (according to their website: These carefully crafted microscopes are made by the same technicians and on the same production line as optical instruments for Leica, Zeiss, Nikon and Olympus.)

However the reviews on the web are mostly very good but some very bad, and I feel it's too far away to take that chance. (If something goes wrong, I can't really hop over to clear things out...)

I'll see firstly locally for a good second hand 'scope, I'm not in a rush...

btw, a meth lab? Oh, I'm sorry, I read that wrong I've been watching too many CSI's and stuff...