Sandra Herrmann
Tie-up, Cape Town, South Africa (August 7 - September 9, 2022)
Summary
Expedition 397P was a roughly one month tie-up in Cape Town with a service call for SERCO (Emile Mylan for microscope maintenance) and a full suite of computer replacements in all labs. A Kick-the-tires-light-the-fires effort was executed after/during install. The documentation here includes details on Imaging related issues encountered during this period.
...
- Produce selected ID batches for IODP staff
- KTLF
- Production of group photos (IODP tech, general group, Entier)
- T-shirt logo contest organization
- T-shirt printing
- GEODESC testing/working closely with developers and 397 expedition planning
System Status
Imaging Computer
The Imaging computer was switched out. We now have a PC instead of Mac. Adobe packages, printer software and settings have been transferred to the best of the Imaging Technicians knowledge. Please check and verify. The login is now ship\jr_username and related email password. The new Adobe Suite installed on that machine uses the NetID login credentials from TAMU.
...
| Microscope property number | Microscope Type | Diagnosis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90871 | Axioscope A1 POL | Stage counterweights had to be cut down which was accomplished for all three specimen holder sets of that type on board | |
| 90869 | Axioscope A1 POL | XY stage faulty (inner pulley system problem), Serco can’t fix this, needs to go back to Zeiss – tested 3 other stages, 2 out of 3 are broken and will be send to College Station to be forwarded to Zeiss | |
| 91187 | Axio Imager A2 | - known issue with PCBA board, which has missing parts on order, - scope is set up for fluorescence, unsure why in that spot | |
| 91188 | Axio Imager A2 (MBIO) | No issue reported. | |
| 90229 | Axioplan POL | Bertrand lens is de-laminated, attachment not useful, so it was removed. | |
| 90207 | Axioscope POL (Thin Section) | No issues reported. | |
| 90257 | Axiophot | Stage couldn’t be moved far enough to focus on specimen, it was discovered that gear inside wasn’t lined up, Serco had to remove focus knob covers and align 15 O-rings back to where they are needed in order to move stage to correct positions. Recommendation from Serco – don’t tinker with inner workings of scopes if not absolutely necessary, send to Zeiss or have Zeiss rep service call. | |
| 91060 | Stereoscope | Magnification knob doesn’t stop at 1x or 8x, no way to fix it as body is glued shut. Stored in Imaging Lab as fall back for high usage expeditions. | |
| 90812 | Stereoscope | No issue reported. | |
| 91105 | Stereoscope | No issue reported. | |
| 90811 | Stereoscope | No issue reported. | |
| 90812 | Stereoscope | No issue reported. | |
| 90228 | Stereoscope SV11 (reserve in Imaging Lab) | No issue reported. | |
| ODP00584 | Old grey stereoscope (reserve in Imaging Lab) | No issue reported. |
At the end of the tie-up, AF arrived and the missing parts were installed and tested on the Axio Imager 2 (91187):
Microscope cameras (SPOT)
...
No issues encountered. All working well. Same as on the Stylus 4900, more options are suddenly available, which makes it much easier to work with.
Items received
- Printer ink for Epson ecotank and Stylus
- Phone case/screen protector for Foldio iPhone
- Light bulbs for Imaging Office
- Tripod head that holds more weight (for remote setup for group pictures)
- Light bulbs for Imaging Lab overhead light fixture
- Missing pieces for Microscope Imager A2 - push button and cable (AF @ end of expedition)
Items ordered
- Small tripod for Foldio phone
- Misssing pieces for Microscope Imager A2 - push button and cable (beginning of expedition)
Items shipped to shore
- Prepared shipment with all camcorders as the technology has not been used in a decade (see tech reports) and is outdated at this point
- Old grey Zeiss microscope and accessories
- Several light box transformers (we have too many here)
- Two Maerzenhauser XY stages that only work in one direction (for repair at Zeiss)
Miscellaneous
One additional task was to prepare for the new SEM/EDS system install during 397T. A tracking confluence page has been created, where all information, manuals, progress etc. are reported. It would be nice to keep using this tracking page until the project is finished and approved by all stake holders. The page is located on the front page of the Laboratory Notebook and linked: 379PT 379P/T SEM EDS install. All tasks associated with 397P have been accomplished.
...
All Imaging Manuals that were embedded in the Lab Notebooks and linked to the WIKI have been moved to the wiki under the newly created Imaging Lab link. A new manual for Virtual Photo Table was added.
A good amount of time was spent on GEODESC testing, meetings and 397 description planning.
...