Posted by
Keith Morris on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/laser-lifetimes-tp2187288p2196985.html
Hi all,
Back at UCL we had a heavily used Bio-Rad Radiance 2000, installed around
2001. Over the first 6 years [until 2006] the multi-line argon laser was
replaced twice* and the far red 633nm diode laser replaced once. I have a
feeling the red 543nm laser was also replaced, but can't be sure now [they
seem to be most reliable, possibly as they are under 5mW] - the Radiance
didn't have a 405nm laser. Over the latter years the system was used very
heavily, with 24h time-lapses occurring 4-5 times a week. The argon laser
actually lasted far longer being left on semi-permanently, compared to users
originally switching it off every-time after use before the next user
arrived [might be just luck]. Our Diode lasers are treated as best switched
off after use unless you know it will be needed, whereas argon lasers are
best left on for the next user [like Hg lamps]. I would say we had parts
replaced on the Bio-Rad that totalled up to more than the cost of a couple
of lasers over that 6 year period [e.g. new boards/filters/motorised focus
drive].
The Bio-Rad also had a serious long running problem that eventually saw the
entire lasers+system box being replaced, but I'm pretty sure that happened
late on in the first year and would have been covered by the standard 1 year
UK guarantee [it all happened before I got there].
The newer 4-laser Leica SP2 confocal needed no lasers over the 3 years
before I left, although other parts were replaced. The DAPI 405nm diode did
develop problems with brightness, but I don't think it got replaced, just
some other optics.
Here at WTCHG, Oxford University, our 2.5 year old Zeiss 510 Meta has had
the 405nm violet laser [DAPI] replaced in 2008 [along with the AOTF and a
lot of other laser optics] as we had a persistent problem in the DAPI
channel [now gone]. Otherwise the 510 has had no new lasers. It's other
454/488/514 argon, 633 & 543 diode lasers all seem fine at the moment.
One thing I would say is ask for any confocal quote to include a 5 years
full maintenance contract, as this will normally be subject to the same
large discount applied to the microscope hardware. Likewise ensure you get
all the modules you need, otherwise any extras are at full cost [£13k a year
maintenance incl. Lasers, and say another £5k for that FRET/FRAP, 3D or
time-lapse module].
In our heavily used core facilities the maintenance contract pays for
itself, any problem whatever and an engineer arrives promptly, the confocal
is in pieces and boxes of new components arrive. Our Core users pay the
maintenance charge via overheads, and so use the confocal for 'free'. On a
ad-hoc basis its £1,000 a day just for the engineers time, replacement
lasers/parts excluded. Plus you aren't given the same priority as those on
maintenance contracts. Given electrical/laser safety requirements and public
liability I wouldn't swap my own lasers - anything to do with the laser side
is always dealt with by the microscope engineers fully familiar with the
system [who have access to all the correct parts anyway]. That said I have
used ex-Bio-Rad confocal engineers who I trust, and you may have access to
locals with considerable expertise [e.g. laser system builders] on-site.
Plus non-core facility confocals may get used fairly infrequently, possibly
making maintenance contracts an expensive option [light bulbs often last
longer left in the cupboard].
I'd also ensure that the microscope is supplied by the confocal manufacturer
and fully covered by the maintenance contract. Our Bio-Rad used a Zeiss
Axiovert 100M the Prof. bought separately at the same time. So there was an
invisible line inside the microscope where the motorised focus moved out of
the Bio-Rad maintenance contract into the 'not our problem mate, you'll have
to contact Carl Zeiss and pay-[a lot]-as-you go[slowly]' - the irony was
lost on them when this continued after Bio-Rad became Zeiss MicroScience -
and believe me it was a complete pain.
Regards
Keith
*The Bio-Rad engineer mentioned that their argon lasers had an hours 'on'
counter and that they generally failed before the 8,000 hour rated
life-time. When Bio-Rad raised this with the laser manufacturer, they
responded promptly by removing the external hours counter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr Keith J. Morris,
Molecular Cytogenetics and Microscopy Core,
Laboratory 00/069 and 00/070,
The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics,
Roosevelt Drive,
Oxford OX3 7BN,
United Kingdom.
Telephone: +44 (0)1865 287568
Email:
[hidden email]
Web-pages:
http://www.well.ox.ac.uk/cytogenetics/
-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:
[hidden email]] On
Behalf Of Philip Oshel
Sent: 20 January 2009 16:17
To:
[hidden email]
Subject: laser lifetimes
Listers,
We're in the midst of grant-writing and budgets, and I'd like to get
some folks' experiences with laser lifetimes and maintenance issues.
Specifically, multi-line argon lasers and 405 and 559 diode lasers.
These diodes in particular add a fair amount to a service contract.
How necessary is it to include the lasers in a service contract?
Currently, our old instrument has a single-line 488 argon and a HeNe
543, no contract and no problems, so I'm tending to excluding some or
all of the lasers from the contract. But ...
Thanks for the information.
Phil
--
Philip Oshel
Microscopy Facility Supervisor
Biology Department
024C Brooks Hall
Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
(989) 774-3576