Re: [APML] Cleaning SS4000

[<pedit@email.unc.edu>]

Quoting Vicent Peris <vicentperis@ya.com>:

> Hi,
> 
> anybody can give me any advice on how to clean
> the optics of my SS4000???
> 
> Thanks you very much!
> Vicent.


Vicent,
Below are instructions I saved from another list.  Opening the scanner 
may void its warranty so use the instructions with caution.
Joe

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Topic: Summary of SS4000 cleaning discussion

Date: Thu, 05 Sep 2002 14:29:23 -0700
From: HPA

Summary of SS4000 cleaning discussion.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SCANNER NEEDS CLEANING?  By opening the unit and 
examining the optical mirror.  Or, if you want a preliminary idea of 
how dirty the mirror may be before taking this step, look at the amount 
of dust underneath your scanner.  If you do not use a dustcover, this 
is likely to be a good indicator of how much dust may be on the optical 
lens and mirror (this is because the scanner has open holes and serves 
as a dust collector, unless you have a dust cover).

HOW DO I OPEN THE UNIT FOR EXAMINATION AND CLEANING?  First, get the 
scanner unplugged from the computer and out on a clear well lit table 
where you can work on it.  Turn the scanner upside down, you will see 
four plastic catches on the bottom sides near the corners.  A small 
flat screwdriver can be used to pop open these catches.  Be careful not 
to break them.  Once you have released the catches and have slid the 
top off, you will see the mechanism.  The top cover and main chassis 
will, of course, still be connected by various wires.  Connect the 
power cord to the unit and press the power button on.   The scanner 
will attempt to go through one cycle.  Be observant, at one point the 
optical mirror will be perfectly revealed.  It may take a few tries to 
see how it works.  As soon as the mirror is perfectly accessible, pull 
the power cord so it freezes in that position.

HOW DO I CLEAN THE OPTICAL MIRROR?  With compressed air.  Air comes in 
two forms, a compressor or a can of dust-off available from camera 
stores, etc.  If you have compressor, set to about 40 lbs of air 
pressure.  I recommend you use a medical compressor because it does not 
have oil pistons.  (Regular air compressors sold for general machine or 
airbrush use oil pistons, so make sure your compressor does not emit 
tiny oil droplets out the nozzle)  If you use the canned air, remember 
not to hold the can at an angle because some of these squirt a liquid 
out if held at angles other than generally vertical.  Perhaps you can 
put the scanner on its side while blowing the dust away.  Another 
suggestion for canned air is to put a downward bend in the tube that is 
used to extend the nozzle, you can do this while slightly heating the 
tube with a match.  Blow off the mirror and lens real good.

WHAT IT THE MIRROR NEEDS FURTHER CLEANING?  Then you need denatured 
alcohol available from hardware or paint stores (which is NOT drugstore 
isopropyl alcohol).  Use lens cleaning tissue, and put a little 
denatured alcohol on the tissue.  Fold the tissue over and drag it 
across the mirror using no pressure.  Do not get the alcohol on plastic 
parts or let it get behind the mirror, or let it drip all over 
everything.  Use each tissue only once and discard.

WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP THE UNIT IN GOOD CONDITION?   Make a plastic 
dustcover.  Or, put it in a plastic bag when not using it.  Anything to 
keep dust from getting into it is a good thing.

This is not authorized factory service information.   I am not 
qualified to do anything, I have no education, I don't know anything.  
These are practical suggestions for do-it-yourselfers and are based on 
my personal experience of doing it.  My remarks about cleaning the 
mirror come from questioning a life-long camera repairman.   I have no 
factory training or information.  There are many people on this list 
who are scanner scientists and mechanics and can probably offer better 
information, so let's hope to hear from them.

Good luck

Thomas

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