ESD Safe Microscope Cover
Cover your microscopes with an ESD Safe Microscope cover to free them from dirt and other contaminants.
Transforming Technologies' MC1221W ESD Safe Microscope cover protects your microscope optics from dust and other contamination while keeping your workstation ESD safe. Common microscope covers are made from vinyl, a material that is an insulator and a potential static generator. The MC1221W is made from ESD-safe materials and does not generate a significant charge.
Why Use an ESD Microscope Cover?
Microscopes are a common instrument found in electronic assembly operations. Microscopes are used for inspection and the assembly of very small objects. The microscope lenses must remain clear and free of dust and other contamination. When not in use, microscopes should be covered to protect the optics. Some microscope manufacturers provide covers for when the scopes are not in use. Typically, the covers are made of vinyl. While vinyl may provide good protection from dust and fumes, it is a significant static generator. The vinyl cover in the photo above shows an electrostatic voltage of -5,500 volts. Once the cover is removed from the scope, the voltage jumps to -12,000 volts. ANSI/ESD S2020, the industry standard for ESD control programs, states that all unnecessary insulators should be removed from the ESD-protected area. Since microscopes must be covered when not in use, it could be argued that the microscope cover is an essential insulator process. ANSI/ESD S2020, Section 8.3.1 states that the ESD control program "shall include a plan for handling process-required insulators to mitigate field-induced CDM damage." The standard says that if the field is more significant than 2000 volts/inch, it must be kept more than 12" from the ESD-sensitive item. If the microscope is not in use, but work on ESD-sensitive devices is being performed at the station, the vinyl scope cover becomes a significant risk. The vinyl cover becomes an even greater risk if it is removed while there are ESD-sensitive items at the workstation. The best solution is to replace the vinyl cover with an ESD-safe microscope cover, such as the Transforming Technologies MC1221W. This scope cover is constructed of ESD-safe material and does not generate a significant charge. Even when the body is removed, the mission remains very low. With Transforming Technologies’ MC1221W, you can protect your microscope optics from contamination while keeping your workstation ESD safe.