Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

RE: Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

rikilshah — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 05:52:20 GMT

It's an old thread but I want to share my PCB microscope build.

Some basic Specifications are:
1. 5MP Generic IP Camera with Sony IMX185 sensor

2. Computar MLH-10x Macro Zoom Variable Lens (repurposed from old machine)

3. 3D printed body for Vertical and Horizontal Movement

4. MS plate for magnet holders for PCB

5. A simple Desk Lamp as light source

Advantage of Using IP camera is that I can have any RTSP viewer or VLC as my Camera viewer. Also, I have connected camera to my Office network so I am using my iPad as my viewer. You can use your mobile as your viewer. Currently, I am upgrading this design with two smooth rods in each axis so as to support heavier lenses in future. Lens holder is screw mounted so you can change it with any lens you like.

Any suggestions for improvement is more than welcome. I can share my 3D printed parts, if anyone is interested.

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RE: Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

three-phase — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 17:02:53 GMT

This is a really useful blog, well before my time on here! Like a few, I too need to look at a much better setup for soldering the SMD components. I only have my little crocodile base third-hand with a magnifying glass on it.

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It isn't too good at either holding anything or magnifying the view, especially when a soldering starts to come into the setup. I do have a little USB based microscope as well, but that is more for post inspection as it does not have much depth of view.

There are a lot of helping-hands magnifier stations on Amazon, but they all seem to have the crocodile clip approach, which I think I would like to move away from.

Kind regards.

RE: Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

dubbie — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 12:31:54 GMT

Looks like a good system. I am in need of something I can use while soldering. At present I stick a loupe into one eye like a monocle and then get very close to the soldering, with solder in my left hand and a hot soldering iron in my right hand. It's far too dangerous in my opinion but about the only way I can solder and see what I am doing. I sometimes use one of the smaller magnifying glasses on a stand, which is better than nothing but not as good as the loupe monocle.

Dubbie

RE: Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

shabaz — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 15:29:43 GMT

I recently picked up a head magnifier, it looks dorky, but you can't argue with results, it's made life a bit easier!

If anyone's interested, I went for this Donegan Optivisor: (image source: https://doneganoptical.com/product/optivisor/ )

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I have the DA4 version which has 2 x magnification, and it gives about 7 inches of distance from the front of the magnifier out to the object that I want to observe.

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It initially seemed pricey (in the UK. The US price is way better) but someone was selling an unused one for half price so I took that. Incidentally there are a lot of clones of it at lower cost. It could be cheaper to buy a clone and then buy the original lens plate, but it would only save a small bit of money. Plus the original has real leather with cushioning against the forehead, and we all like comfort!

Amazon UK link for Optivisor DA-4 and Amazon US link.

In use, I have it lifted up very slightly, so that if I want to view without it, I can look down at an angle without needing to keep adjusting it.

The field of view is pretty good (way better than a handheld magnifier), in that I can see about 6 inches from left to right, in clear focus, when the object is about 6-7 inches away from the end of the magnifier. It is great being able to lift up a board and read SMD markings with reasonable ease. I thought I'd need a head-light, but I might make that at some point. I don't really need that currently, the room-lighting seems to be fine when using this head magnifier.

RE: Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

shabaz — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 15:21:45 GMT

(Adding a comment to debug an issue, please ignore..).

RE: Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

soldertraining — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 07:07:41 GMT

[deleted]

RE: Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

jw0752 — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 05:53:07 GMT

Hi Shabaz,

I am still waiting for my S-video to USB adapter so I can try the dental camera on a better monitor but I have made some progress. I call this the Dixie Cup stand with LED lights. At least now I can hold the camera taking the picture of the monitor screen with both hands.

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John

RE: Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

Problemchild — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 07:30:33 GMT

Excellent article as usual Shabaz, yes most important note here is that SD is great with a decent set of optics as all those photos show.

I was thinking the problems you had processing the video .. was it doing any frame rate adaption like 30 to 25 frames or vice versa?

Maybe that was what made it appear glitchy?

RE: Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

mcb1 — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 09:24:11 GMT

Great work.

Hadn't thought of connecting it via Lan.

Well done.

Mark

RE: Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

jw0752 — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 06:25:43 GMT

Hi Shabaz,

Your mention of a dental camera reminded me that I had one on the shelf that I had saved from my business. The camera system is an Oralvision and it sold to the dentist for $6,000 back in1993. For the fun of it I got it out and fired it up. It has a camera with 2 attachments. One is a straight on lens that is able to be focused down to about 5 cm. The other attachment is an angle handpiece that allows one to get about a 1 cm away from the object of interest. Both camera attachments are supported by an integral fiber optic light that ties back to a quartz light in the camera power supply. The monitor is a Sony with some neat features like a switch that allows the operator to mirror image the capture. The only output from the camera case is an amphenol plug to an S-Video. The monitor has many in and out jacks which are all presently obsolete. I will experiment further with this camera by getting an S-Video to USB adapter and then tie it into my computer and monitor. Here are some pictures of the system and what it does.

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I took this shot with the a regular digital camera as I wanted to highlight the size of the resistor arrays under the penny.

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The straight on camera attachment has a poor depth of field. Another quality problem I have here is that I am having to photograph the Sony Monitor's screen with my digital camera. I am holding the dental camera with one hand and my regular camera with the other. I also have the f-stop on the light turned up too bright in this picture.

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Here are the same resistor arrays with the angle attachment.

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Here are (3) 603 size resistors blown up so that they measure 20mm by 40 mm on the monitor screen. The angle attachment was about 1 cm from the board in this picture.

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This is the control panel on the camera power supply and light box. I am a poor engineer as I haven't cracked the case yet to look inside.

I mention this old dental camera as this vintage is no longer desirable by the dental profession so they are sitting around in basements and backrooms. I bought this one for $25.00. Perhaps there are more of them out there if anyone is looking for something that was high quality and is inexpensive now. Check with a dentist or a dental supply company in your area. I will let you know if adapting it to the computer allows me to improve the image.

John

RE: Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

clem57 — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 04:08:19 GMT

shabaz

Wonderful analysis and great pictures. I am surprised how you took them and showing details. How long did you take with this project?

RE: Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

DAB — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 18:24:59 GMT

I agree, excellent post with good clear descriptions and lots of great photos.

DAB

RE: Building a Digital PCB Inspection Microscope with the Gizmo 2

jw0752 — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 04:57:39 GMT

Excellent presentation as usual and very helpful information. This type of project is on my to do list and I have bookmarked your blog so I can go back to it when my to do list catches up.

Thanks John