How does the MANTIS microscope work?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Merlysys
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 10:22:15 pm
content: I have a project in mind, to get a broken Mantis working again, to use as an aid for electronics work. I often buy broken equipment and fix them, though this may be a risky venture as this item being not the type of equipment I am used to fixing.Here is a Mantis with 6x magnification, from postings here and elsewhere thats the model for electronics work, right?http://www.ebay.ca/itm/400916758758?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITThis one may be overpriced but better priced ones do appear. I am also trying to find out how this thing works but cannot find enough info, so if anyone knows please give some links or an explanation. Since it displays a slightly different image to each eye is the mechanism similar to that in a 3D microscope?If fixing a Mantis turns out to be unwise, are there others that make a similar device? I know their gadget is patented but usually even newly patented equipment seem to have competitors but I haven't found any.

author: cgbrowne
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 16, 2015, 12:45:45 pm
content: That's an Mantis with UV illumination. Looks like it has the viewing lens and hood missing.

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2015, 01:11:24 pm
content: Same here , do a lot of repair related to hobby - ham radio .So being able to afford gear , find broken and then figure out repairBeen looking at the Mantis , eyes getting old AND PARTS GETTING SMALLER doogie dew

author: SteveLy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2015, 01:47:49 pm
content: From what I've seen of the one Mantis we have at work, it seems to be all in the optics: different image to each eye, yes, but that's made possible by optical elements (lenses etc) large enough to accommodate human binocular vision with an eyepiece nearly as wide as your skull. It's like a microscope made for 50 foot giants but you're only ~6 feet tall so you can look with both eyes through the one eyepiece. If you have all the optics then a repair job might be feasible. If not, then forget about it.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2015, 01:48:34 pm
content: the principle of the mantis is very simple , and there really is very few stuff in it , but, the parts are pure unobtainium...the lenses are nothing special. just a lens. then you enter the body of the machine. there are two (or was it three ? ) mirrors that send the light to a parabolic mirror that sits in the back of the machine. that is problem number 1 : the parabolic mirror ...this mirror is gimballed and you can adjust the tilt with the knob on the side of the mantisthen the light hits the viewport. this viewport is flat towards you but curved on the backside <- problem 2problem1 and 2 are because the curvature is unknown and you won't be able to find a suitable replacement. if either is missing or damaged : game over as there are no spares available...a mantis is not just a microscope. a microscope enlarges an image. the mantis can 'bend' the image like a tilt-shift lens. that is why , if you shift your head slightly left-right you get to see the behind the pins of a tqfp.the gimballed parabolic mirror

author: donmr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2015, 04:22:42 pm
content: If you really want to, you can grind your own parabolic mirror. Amateur astronomers do it all the time. There are services that will silver coat if for you too.

author: Nerull
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2015, 04:28:07 pm
content: You still need to know what shape to grind to to.

author: SteveLy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2015, 04:46:01 pm
content: Quote from: donmr on October 16, 2015, 04:22:42 pmHaving one you already have recoated is no probs. Grinding your own to the exact specs of the instrument in that unusual elliptical shape, no way.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2015, 05:52:50 pm
content: Cant you 3d laser scan the mirror and use the CAD file to cut a copy?

author: LaserSteve
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2015, 06:24:42 pm
content: Only if you have a 150,000$ computer controlled, diamond turning and polishing machine. Even then you use a curve generator program, as a scan is no where near good enough. Ellipses need really specialized tooling. By the time you make that tooling, you can find another used Mantis. Even a cheap coating run will approach 200$ minimum plus shipping.Steve

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2016, 09:29:37 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on October 16, 2015, 01:48:34 pmMantis are amazing! I tried them at a lab, not sure about what because I was a child. I was one of those kids that are too curious and liked to touch every technology or science related and combined with a defiant attitudeI have spatial issues and my eyes get tired easily, among other crap. If I had that, my soldering works would be very easy!How much does those cost? I'm very interested, my eyes and my hands boycott me lots of times.

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2016, 10:30:35 pm
content: Mantis is a fairly late comer to this game.There used to be a company called Metron Optics who mad optical comparators ( back n the day of PTH infancy) whereby You could take production unit and a wiring copy and bring the two images together for comparison ( QC function).Metron also had a true 3D viewer/magnifier. The 3D effect was in taking place in free space without the limitations of a shroud or an interposed lense system.Simpy amazing.

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 01:00:04 am
content: Quote from: IconicPCB on January 04, 2016, 10:30:35 pmDamn. What happened to that? Are there photos of the equipment somewhere?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 01:39:28 am
content: I would strongly suggest against any stereo/3D microscope repair. The reason is you don't have proper equipment to check if it is functioning correctly. Even if it appears to work fine, you can easily destroy your eyesight by using microscope which is not properly adjusted. You can easily get astigmatism or strabismus.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 01:40:08 am
content: that's a simple split beam optic system. that is still being used today to alignb BGA's on circuit boards.you see the top of the board and the bottom of the bga. simply align the balls with the pads. drop part : apply heatwave.