Re: [External] Confocal lifetime question

Posted by Cammer, Michael on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/CO2-enrichment-accessories-tp7589882p7589901.html

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I would like to reiterate "computers" because it is the single biggest problem.  As individual parts wear out, they may be replaced.  We have shutters and filter wheels and lenses dating back to circa 2000 that still work with serial control (even after the wires have gotten sticky), but we have a few cameras (Cooke PCO, Photometrics, Hamamatsu) that are great, but collecting dust because when the computers die, that's it, no slots or drivers for new computers.  I've seen high end confocals decommissioned because of computer hardware and operating system obsolescence.  Yes, the newer ones are better, but as workhorse instruments, it would be great if we could keep the older ones running.  (If I'm not mistaken, the real time controller for the Zeiss 710 and 880 are old technology that Zeiss wisely keeps alive.)

To confirm other replies:  the lifetime of high end confocals is defined by the manufacturer's willingness to provide service and by the human interface, a.k.a. computer.

Cheers-

Michael Cammer, Sr Research Scientist, DART Microscopy Laboratory
NYU Langone Health, 540 First Avenue, SK2 Microscopy Suite, New York, NY  10016
Office: 646-501-0567 Cell: 914-309-3270  [hidden email]  
http://nyulmc.org/micros  http://microscopynotes.com/




-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Giang, William
Sent: Monday, September 23, 2019 10:26 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [External] Confocal lifetime question

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Hi Arvydas,

Hardware concerns have already been addressed by other people, so I'll bring up the software side of 10 year old confocals in a core facility.

With Windows 7 losing support in January 2020, our IT department is planning on isolating any computers from the {intra, inter}net.

While our FV1000s still function, the following will be disrupted.
1. Stratocore, our usage tracking software for cost recovery, needs internet access.
2. Images acquired on our scopes get robocopy'd to network attached storage for ease of access/discouraging flash drive usage


We also inquired how much it would be to get our Nikon A1R to a Windows 10 system. The giga channel board was ~$6000 by itself.

Side note: I want to clear up the misconception that "M.2 drives are better than SATA drives." "M.2" refers to the form factor. There are M.2 SATA SSDs and M.2 NVMe SSDs.

Best,
Will


-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Arvydas Matiukas
Sent: Saturday, September 21, 2019 9:32 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [External] Confocal lifetime question


Dear Microscopists,

I am worried that high usage volume over 4000hrs/year that started  two years ago and likely will continue can  shorten useful lifetime of our confocal (in terms of service years or hours).

I expect properly maintained confocal to last about 10 years or 20,000 hrs. Similarly, a car is expected to last 10 years or 100k miles, however sometimes it drives 100k in 3 years ending at  the intermediate condition and value. Please share your experience after how many hours or years of usage  Core should start planning the replacement of the heavily used confocal.

Thanks,
Arvydas







+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Arvydas Matiukas, Ph.D.
Manager of NRB Shared Equipment
Director of Confocal&Two-Photon Core
SUNY Upstate Medical University

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