SMD assy station

[wkb]

Today I finally had time to finalise my SMD assembly station.  Or rather, it is a generic TV/video based loupe for all sorts of fiddly assembly & repair work (I already used it to repair a camera lens).

It is a thrown-together piece of kit consisting of

• a Philips CCD CCTV camera
• a Computar macro-zoom (C-mount)
• a slightly-tweakerd stand from a stereo microscope
• 2 USB LED bars, with thanks to DX 
• a LCD panel commonly found mounted on the back of the headrests in cars
• a wall-wart PSU to power the LCD

Yesterday I created an aluminium mounting ring (a lathe & milling machine are quite useful toys, even for an EE) to mount the USB LED bars onto the stand.

I must say, I'm quite happy with the result of my work 

[robrenz]

Nice job!

[Teknotronix]

Wow! Nice   

[amspire]

That is really great. How much did the Computar macro-zoom lens cost?

[george graves]

subscribed!

[JuKu]

Very cool! Out of curiosity,

> a slightly-tweakerd stand from a stereo microscope

What was wrong with a stereo microscope, and what, in your opinion, is the biggest gain with your arrangement? (I'm currently using a microscope, but always looking for better tools.)

[wkb]

That is really great. How much did the Computar macro-zoom lens cost?

I found the lens surplus at a ham fest, for € 15.

Attached are the specs. 

[wkb]

Very cool! Out of curiosity,

> a slightly-tweakerd stand from a stereo microscope

What was wrong with a stereo microscope, and what, in your opinion, is the biggest gain with your arrangement? (I'm currently using a microscope, but always looking for better tools.)

There is nothing wrong with the standard stereo microscope perse, I was just in the mood to build this video based version.

The advantage of the stereo microscope: well, it is stereoscopic, which is nice

The advantage of the video one: it can change magnification using the zoomlens, it is to an extent easier on the eyes

So they are complmentary in my book.  I did not really alter the stand, other than that the horizontal metal bar now has a 1/5" UNC threaded bolt on which I can screw the tripod end of the Philips CCTV camera.  If I unscrew that bolt I can fit the original microscope.