| MANTIS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The basics:
Care and feeding:
Your Mantis is a great inspection
tool, but it's much more - with the tips below, and the proper
lenses, use it for:
SMT rework
PCB assembly
Mechanical assembly
How
do I get my Mantis?
You can order your Mantis directly from SMTinspection.com with your credit
card, or send us a purchase order. To get a quotation, just fax or email
us. We will need the following information to quote:
Your Name
Your Company
Phone and Fax numbers
Ship to and Bill to addresses
How
much does a Mantis cost?
That depends on the lenses you select. A typical
setup runs from $1700 to $2500.
We guarantee the lowest Mantis prices two ways:
1. We search the web for the lowest prices on a
regular basis.
2. We will beat or equal any competitors price.
Where
do they come from?
Mantis' are built in the US by Vision Engineering, a British company.
SMTinspection.com ships its Mantis' from Orange, VA.
What
about the warranty and support?
The warranty is one year parts and labor. VE will pick up shipping from
their facility back to your plant. They send the unit back the same way
they get it -- if it comes to them UPS red, it goes back the same way.
Repairs are rarely needed, and usually can be done in a few hours.
Support is available here on the web page and by phone and email from
SMTinspection.com.
How
does it work?
A combination of mirrors, beam splitters, lenses and objectives produce a
stereo image on a large viewing area. The optical paths are so large, that
as users approach the instrument the light converges and creates one high
resolution image. Because the user has freedom of head and body position
not offered by traditional microscopes, the phenomenon of being able to
look around the perimeter of subjects in the field of view is made
possible.
How
do I bathe my Mantis?
Wipe the plastic case with a damp cloth. You
can use 409 or a similar solution to remove smudges. Don't overdo it,
though. You don't want water to leak into the head.
Clean the objectives, faceplate, and infinity lens
with glass cleaner.
Is
there any scheduled maintenance?
Blow the fan out with compressed air every few
months. Use clean shop air, and send it in the opposite direction of
normal air flow. If you have problems with condensation on the
faceplate, or elsewhere inside the head, change your desiccant cartridge.
Anything
to look out for in day to day use?
1. Use the four knobs on the
bottom of the head to move your Mantis up and down. Don't press down on
the top of the unit. This puts pressure on the attachment joint.
2. If you use your Mantis for
rework, make sure to have your lens covers installed. It's much less
expensive to replace lens covers than lenses.
Are
there any consumables associated with the Mantis?
1. There are two lamps in the
head unit. They are rated for 2000 hours, and cost $16.00 each.
2. A desiccant cartridge fits
into a small opening in the bottom of the Mantis head. In practice, they
rarely need to be changed. If they do, a package of 10 lists for $40.00.
What
is the best configuration for rework?
The most commonly used lens for
rework is our 6xSLWD. With a focal plane 4 1/2" inches below the
lens, and a full 9" from the bottom of the Mantis head, it provides
the user with more than enough room for rework and assembly.
If there are budget constraints, a good compromise
is a Mantis with an 8x and a 4x lens. The 4x provides a fair amount of
room under the unit, and the 8x adds extra magnification when you need it.
How
do I focus when using two lenses?
If you are using 2 lenses, remember to focus in on
your board first with the higher power lens. The Mantis is a parfocal
instrument - once you focus at your highest power, you can change
magnification without re-focusing.
Why
are the lens covers important?
When you use your Mantis for rework, make sure to
have your lens covers installed. Solder fumes can accumulate on the glass
bottom of the lenses. If you are doing mechanical assembly, you run the
risk of scratching the lens. It's much less expensive to replace lens
covers than lenses.
My
Mantis drifts down after I focus. How do I make it stay put?
Once you have the Mantis positioned and you are
ready to work, tighten up the lever at the head attachment joint. This
will prevent head movement in the vertical plane should you bump the
Mantis as you work.
I
get glare off the solder joints. Can I get rid of this?
Don't forget that your Mantis lamps are adjustable
-- turn the dial on the lower right side of the head to change the angle
at which light leaves the Mantis head. This can help to eliminate glare
from solder joints.
|
Copyright 2001 WA Brown Industrial Sales