Preview unit; S_M_D
For technicians and
partly for sales managers!
To find the position of the entire tissue to be
scanned or parts of it, a preview of the slide is made. The tissue is defined
as a darker part of the slide in relation to its surrounding. Because dust,
grease or fingerprints (specks) fulfills often the same requirement as the
tissue itself; specks may be viewed as tissue also. Therefore, the surface of
the slide and the cover slip should be as clean as possible.
The following
description is based on the Software version 1.15 and the scanner “Pannoramic
SCAN”, the components, procedures and adjustments are the same in the
The entire preview unit is a part of the scanner unit
and designed to fulfill the following 2 tasks:
Contents
- Service program for Pannoramic scanners
and actual license file
- Pannoramic
Viewer software and actual license file or dongle
- The
test slide #2
- 0.9, 1.5, 2.5, 3 hex key wrenches
- Deeper knowledge of handling the Pannoramic scan
and Pannoramic Viewer software.
- Already installed
VRmagic driver or installed driver for the camera DFK 21F04.
The version numbers of the service program
“SlideScannerService.exe” and the scan program “SlideScanner.exe” are
important, because the preview calibration program uses program parts
(.dll-files) of the program “SlideScanner.exe”.
Attention: Do not mix the versions of SlideScanner.exe and SlideScannerService.exe!
Always use these programs with the same version number; otherwise the SlideScannerService.exe
program could produce unwanted results and SlideScanner.exe does not work
correctly or even freeze!
Since the software version
1.16 the units of the scanner are configured in the file “MicroscopeConfiguration.ini”,
section [Microscope].
The actual version of the preview unit in the scanner Pannoramic 250 is
defined by the use of the following parameters and values:
[Microscope]
SerialNumber=xxxxx
MicroscopeType=3DMicX
ScanCameraType=
PreviewCameraType=CVrmc_m8_pPro
BarcodeReaderType=PreviewCamera
LoaderType=SL_6Mag_25Slide_NoSensor_Vertical
ReflectorTurretType=RT_3DH_10Pos_Gear
ObjectGuideXYZType=OGXYZ_1
PreviewLightType=PreviewLightUnitType_Type1
Remark
In earlier scanner versions this section may be very
small, only the preview camera type may exist. If parameters and values are
missed, these options are handled like usually for Pannoramic S_M_D.
MicroscopeType=3DMicX
· The
scanner type is defined here: 3DMic5 = DESK 3DMic6 = MIRAX SCAN 3DMic7 =
Depending on the presence of the darkfield preview
illumination there are two parameter values possible in the section
[Microscope].
PreviewLightType=PreviewLightUnitType_Type1; The darkfield preview illumination is
not present; only brifhtfield preview images are possible.
PreviewLightType=PreviewLightUnitType_Type2; if the darkfield preview illumination
unit is present; this enables the creation of the darkfield preview also.
PreviewCameraType=CVrmc_m8_pPro; if
the preview camera is “VRmagic”
PreviewCameraType=DFK_21F04; if
the preview camera is “DFK 21F04”
Principle
of brightfield preview
Brightfield illuminated
preview
The preview illumination
illuminates the background of the entire field of view of the preview
camera, behind the slide.- Because the
slide is much larger then the field of the preview camera’s view, the scan area of the
slide is captured in 3 sections; the made 3 images are rotated, cut and
assembled by software; the required parameters are defined during the preview
calibration process and collected in the section
[PreviewAndBarcodeScanning] of the file MicroscopeConfiguration.ini.
- The assembled
preview, the scan area of the slide, is shown in the preview window of the
slide scanner program.
- The barcode
area is only a little bit smaller than the captured field of the preview
camera’s view and is shown in the barcode window.
See also: “Scan area” and “Barcode area”
The
entire preview and barcode unit is situated on the “horseshoe”; and this is a part of the scanner unit.
Horseshoe
The horseshoe is a part of the scanner unit, and
contains the following components:
- Objective
and camera holder
- Preview camera VRmc-8+
PRO
- Preview
objective, TAMRON
23FM16SP
- Preview mirror
- Barcode
illumination
The
preview mirror reflects the image of the preview in an angle of
90 degrees; the mirror does not need adjustments.
See also: Construction,
Preview camera DFK
21F04
The preview illumination illuminates the background of
the slide in the size of the preview camera’s field of view.
See also: “Preview illumination”
The barcode
illumination consists of four LED’s and these are situated on a small PCB.
To reach an evenly and bright illuminated barcode
area, the position of the LED’s can be modified by positioning the entire PCB
if the mounting bolts are loosened or by bending the LED’s carefully,
separately.
See also “Barcode adjustments” “Barcode illumination”.
The entire preview
unit is situated on the edge of the scanner plate, parallel to the magazine
unit.
The
position is fixed with two fixing pins and hold by the mounting bolt.
See also: “Scanner plate” and “Horseshoe mounting”
Remove the
preview unit
· Disconnect
the cables for the preview illumination, the barcode illumination and the
preview camera’s FireWire cable
· Remove
the mounting bolt and then the entire preview unit can be removed frontward.
Mount the preview
unit
· Fit
the fixing pins of the scanner unit into the position fixing holes of the
horseshoe and push the entire preview unit onto the edge of the scanner unit.
· Drive
in the mounting bolt.
· Connect
the cables for the preview illumination, the barcode illumination and the
preview camera’s FireWire cable
Because
the production of the preview camera “DFK 21F04” was discontinued, the scanners
S_M_D are delivered since spring 2013 with the camera VR magic “VRmc-8+ PRO”.
· The
horseshoe is modified to the requirements of the camera and objective holder
for the camera VR magic “VRmc-8+ PRO”.
· The
construction of the camera mounting is the same as in the P250.
Preview camera and objective holder
Camera DFK 21F04
To make the preview camera position adjustable, a mounting
plate is used. The mounting plate is mounted to the horseshoe at three
positions, so a three-point-adjustment is realized.
· 
With
the “Adjustment bolts” the plane of the preview camera will be defined and this
position is fixed by the “Mounting bolts”.
· By
adjusting the plane of the preview camera, the camera rotation angle will be
adjusted also!
Camera VR magic
The
preview objective and camera holder allows the adjustment of the preview camera
rotation angle in a limited range.
To adjust the camera rotation angle:
- Hold the camera from beneath (the rear of the camera) and loosen the
position fixing bolt a little bit until the camera becomes barely
moveable.
- By loosening one of the “Rotation angle” bolts and tightening the
opposite bolt, the rotation angle will be modified.
- If the correct camera rotation angle is found, tighten the
“Position fixing” bolt; further information can be found in the chapter “Adjust the
preview camera rotation angle”.
In the scanners
S_M_D the preview camera VRmc-8+ PRO can be used to create
the brightfield preview and also to capture the barcode since the
software version 1.16.
Because the camera has 2 different tasks, each kind of
image is illuminated from another illumination source and these are of a
different kind also, the adjustment of the aperture iris size and the focus
position of the objective are important.
- The distance ring has a thickness of 1.5 mm nominal.
- The shown focus value is for information only, the real value will
be found during the preview calibration process.
- Set the value
of the aperture iris to 3.0.
See also: Preview camera VRmc-8+
PRO
Preview objective, TAMRON 23FM16SP
The scan area
defines the part of the slide on which the tissue, scanned by the scan camera,
is expected to be. The entire scan area is captured by the preview
camera in three sections and is shown in the preview area of the program
SlideScanner.exe.
The scan area is limited by the mechanical
construction of the specimen holder and should be defined as large as possible;
it is not defined in relation to the cover slip.
In all cases, the specimen holder should never be
touched by the focus pin or the objective! In other words, the scan area
is that area of the slide, on which the focus pin and the objective can be
moved seemingly during scanning the tissues, without touching the specimen
holder.
See also: “Define the scan area”.
The
barcode area is situated beside the scan area and contains stickers or labels
with information about the tissue.
If the label contains a barcode, the analyzed and
decoded barcode can be used as file name for the scanned tissue.
· The
entire barcode area is captured by one field of view of the preview camera.
· To see
the information of the barcode area, it is illuminated by the barcode
illumination.
· An evenly
illuminated barcode area and a well adjusted focus of the preview objective
increase the readability of the barcode.
· The
correct position of the barcode area will be defined in the step 16 of the
preview calibration procedure.
Important
Stickers and labels should be placed only beside the
cover slip; the opposite surface from beneath is glass only. If labels are
placed on the opposite side also, the slide will not be hold correctly in the
specimen holder and “slant fields of view” are produced during the scan
process; see also: “Stage
skew check”.
See also: “Barcode illumination”; “Adjust the barcode
illumination”, “Step 16 of the
preview calibration procedure” and
“Barcodes in practice”
When shall I check or
define the scan area?
If the
X-Y-stage was exchanged- If the parallelogram was adjusted
- If any modifications on the specimen holder or its mounting was
taken
- If the scan area of the slide is too small or too much.
The scan area is defined during the system integration
procedure.
If the scan area was modified, the steps and checks,
described under “Adjust the
pixel of the preview camera to the field of view of the scan camera” must be executed.
The scan area values may vary from scanner
to scanner (depending on the specimen holder and parallelogram adjustment and
mechanical tolerances); so the scan area has to be defined for each
scanner separately.
In all cases, the scan area values of X-min,
X-max, Y-min and Y-max are set just before the focus pin or the objective
touches the specimen holder; the accuracy of the limits is 100 steps.
The
slide is hold by the specimen holder on the longer, lower edge and with a slide
clamp on its upper edge, on the barcode area; see the red lines on the right. As
you can see, the definition of the limits X-min and Y-max are critical.
X-max and Y-min are given by the maximal usable slide
size and are not critical; they could be the slide edge of the largest, allowed
slide dimensions.
Because
there is a rounded corner on the specimen holder as shown on the right (X-min
and Y-max corner), there are two possibilities to define
the scan area, shown with the red and green lines.
The Y-max value
can be more decreased (the scan area will be shortened in
Y-direction) and the value of X-min can be decreased (the scan area
will be larger in X-direction). Technically, both solutions can be accepted,
but in practice, the users prefer the solution as shown with the green lines.
The difference between both solutions is more hundred steps in each direction.
Please take this into account if you are defining the scan area.
The
slide is held in the specimen holder with the help of three slide studs, situated
on the longer edges as shown.
The surrounding
of the slide stud is left out automatically from the scan process since the
software version 1.14 and needs not more to be excluded manually from the scan
area (until software version 1.16).
· During
movements with the service program, please do never touch the slide stud with
the focus pin or the objective!
Since the software version 1.16
To
avoid, that the objective may touch the slide stud, the area of the slide studs
is defined explicitly; new parameters are implemented in the section
[HardwareLimits] of the file “MicroscopeConfiguration.ini”.
·
Move the stage to the positions
“Knot#Left”, “Knot#Right”, “Knot#Top” and “Knot#Bottom” just before the
objective would touch the slide stud and actualize the value of the appropriate
parameter; the accuracy should be 100 steps.
·
If the objective was changed from 20x to
40x the slide stud area has to be defined again.
·
Because the objective will never reach the
slide stud “MidiKnot3”, these values should be left unchanged.
·
Please take this into account, if software
is upgraded from an earlier version to the version 1.16 or higher!
The
values are found at the end of the section [HardwareLimits] in the file
“MicroscopeConfiguration.ini”.
·
The
values, shown on the right are for demonstration only and should not be used
·
The defined
areas are excluded from the scan area!
·
Because the objective will never
reach the slide stud “MidiKnot3”, these values should be left unchanged.
·
The path of the file
“MicroscopeConfiguration.ini”, since the version 1.15 is:
C:\ProgramData\3DHISTECH\SlideScanner\MicroscopeConfiguration.ini
Remark
Because the
values are always checked before executing the number of steps to go in the
scan program, the value of “-2000 steps” will be cut to the value of the
hardware limit!
The stud has a size of
about
Top to bottom: 12mm
Left to right: 8mm
The
slide is hold in the specimen holder by the help of one slide stud on the shorter,
inner edge and by the lock handle on the outer, shorter edge. Furthermore,
along the longer edges of the slide there are leading rails situated to lead
the slide during slide insertion. All this facts should be taken into account
if the scan area is defined. The surrounding of the slide stud is left out
automatically from the scan process since the software version 1.14 and needs
not to be excluded manually from the scan area (until software version 1.16).
If you are working with the service program take care of the focus pin and the
objective.
· During
movements with the service program, please do never touch the slide stud with
the focus pin or the objective!
Since the software version 1.16
To avoid,
that the objective may touch the slide stud, the area of the slide stud is
defined explicitly; new parameters are implemented in the section
[HardwareLimits] of the file “MicroscopeConfiguration.ini”.
·
Move the stage to the positions
“KnotLeft”, “KnotRight”, “KnotTop” and “KnotBottom” just before the objective
would touch the slide stud and actualize the value of the appropriate
parameter; the accuracy should be 100 steps.
·
If the objective was changed from 20x to
40x the slide stud area has to be defined again.
·
Please take this into account, if software
is upgraded from an earlier version to the version 1.16!
The
values are found at the end of the section [HardwareLimits] in the file
“MicroscopeConfiguration.ini”.
·
The values,
shown on the right are for demonstration only and should not be used!
·
The defined area
is excluded from the scan area!
·
The path of the file
“MicroscopeConfiguration.ini”, since the version 1.15 is:
C:\ProgramData\3DHISTECH\SlideScanner\MicroscopeConfiguration.ini
Check the found
limit position
To decide, the focus pin is whether on glass
or metal is touched, the following actions can help.
·
Move the focus pin to the focus position
of 800steps.
·
Move the specimen holder with the finger
nail carefully to the left by about 0.5 mm maximal
so, that the mechanical preload of the specimen holder is overridden; the slide
is even disconnected from the focus pin.
·
Release the specimen holder abruptly.
·
The behavior and the sound can be
used to decide the focus pin is whether on glass or on metal.
·
To use this method effectively, try
this some times on different, non critical and critical positions on the slide;
listening and memorize the sound for glass.
The following “flow chart” describes the steps for
Pannoramic SCAN especially. The steps for
· This procedure
assumes that the hardware limits of the X-Y-stage unit are already defined.
· The
path of the file “MicroscopeConfiguration.ini”, in the version 1.14 is:
C:\ Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
Data\3DHISTECH\SlideScanner\ MicroscopeConfiguration.ini
· The
path of the file “MicroscopeConfiguration.ini”, since the version 1.15 is:
C:\ProgramData\3DHISTECH\SlideScanner\MicroscopeConfiguration.ini
·
The scan area values to be
used are set just before the focus pin or the objective touches the specimen
holder mechanics. The accuracy of the limits is 100 steps.
1.
Insert a medium large slide or the Test slide #2.
2.
Start the Mservice.exe program, Low level service
part.
3.
Go forward to 26000 steps in +X direction.
4.
Press Home1 then Home2 for the Y-stepper motor.
5.
Press Home1 then Home2 for the X-stepper motor.
6.
Go to position X=4000 steps.
7.
To find the
“rounded” corner of the specimen holder, go to the position Y-max. This position
is nearly 74000 steps or somewhat below. The real value can be found in the
section [HardwareLimits]. If the specimen holder is touched by the focus pin,
move the Y-stepper backward by 100 steps until the specimen holder is not
touched and memorize this number of steps in Y-direction. If necessary, go to
Y-Home1,2 for the Y-stepper motor and forward again to the memorized position
(if steps where lost).
8.
To find the lower edge of the “rounded” corner of the
specimen holder, decrease the number of steps by
9.
After each movement of the specimen holder (either in
X- or Y-direction) check the limit as described in the paragraph above “To
check the found limit position”.
10. Decrease /
increase the number of steps in the X-direction and the Y-direction until the
correct corner point is found (see also “The physical construction of the
specimen holders”).
11. If the corner
point is found without touching the specimen holder and without lost steps update
the parameter “ScannableAreaPositionXmin” with the found value of steps in
X-direction and the value of the parameter “ScannableAreaPositionYmax” with the
found value of steps in Y-direction in the file “MicroscopeConfiguration.ini”
section [HardwareLimits] and save the file.
12. With the 3200
steps button go backward in -Y-direction (along the specimen holder side,
defined by the parameter X-min) until the inner edge of the slide is reached
and check after each click the correctness of the value for the parameter
“ScannableAreaPositionXmin” as described in the paragraph above “To check the
found limit position”. Collision with the specimen holder must not occur! Do
the step 12 logically on each already defined edge.
13. To define the
values for the parameters “ScannableAreaPositionXmax” and
“ScannableAreaPositionYmin”, move the specimen holder into the opposite corner
and repeat the flow chart from step 3 logically. In step 6 start with the
position X = 24000 and in step 7 use the value of Y=23000 steps as a starting
point.
14. If the corner
point is found without touching the specimen holder and without lost steps
update the parameter “ScannableAreaPositionXmax” with the found value of steps
in X-direction and the value of the parameter “ScannableAreaPositionYmin” with
the found value of steps in Y-direction in the file
“MicroscopeConfiguration.ini” section [HardwareLimits] and save the file.
15. Repeat step 12
logically with all four edges of the defined scan area. If anywhere collision
occurs, define the appropriate parameter value again and actualize it in the
file “MicroscopeConfiguration.ini” section [HardwareLimits] and save the file.
Define
the slide stud area
· The values of the
slide stud area are defined just before the objective would touch the slide stud;
please use an accuracy of 100 steps.
·
To define the values, please use the same technique as
described above, in the chapter “Define the scan area”.
· The defined areas are excluded from the scan area!
· Because
the objective will never reach the slide stud “MidiKnot3”, these values should
be left unchanged.
· See
also “Scan area and specimen
holders”, “PMIDI” and “PDESK”
Adjustments
of the preview unit
The
adjustment of the preview unit includes:
- Adjust the aperture
iris size of the preview objective ÿ(Tamron objective only)
- Adjust
the focus position of the preview objective
- Adjust
the preview camera rotation angle
- Execute
the preview calibration procedure
- Adjust the
preview pixel to the field of view of the scan camera
- Save the configuration file into the EEPROM.
- Adjust the
barcode illumination
- Check barcode reading
Prerequisites
for the BF preview calibration
The success of the preview calibration procedure is
bound to the following components and parameter values:
- Driver of the preview camera is installed.
- Hardware limits of the X-, Y- and focus unit are defined.
- Home position of the turret unit is already adjusted; the first
filter position is defined.
- Brightfield preview illumination was checked with the service
program and can be switched on / off.
When shall I do a preview calibration?
If the focus
position of the preview objective was altered.- If the preview camera was loosened, dismounted, changed.
- If adjustments are done on the parallelogram or the specimen holder
or the X-Y-stage was exchanged.
- If the scanned area of the tissue is different from the selected
area in the preview window.
Steps of the preview calibration procedure
- Set the aperture
of the preview objective (Tamron objective only).
- Start the
preview calibration procedure
3.
Adjust the focus
of the preview objective.
4.
Adjust the
rotation angle of the preview camera.
- Adjust the objective position
of the 20x scanner objective (if not adjusted previously).
- Define the barcode area
Attention: If you adjusted the mechanical
mounting of preview camera or you adjusted the focus of preview camera, a
preview calibration should be done again. Otherwise, the scanned area of tissue
will be different from the shown area in the preview window.
To adjust the preview camera you need a
Start the service program “SlideScannerService.exe”
and the option “Preview calibration”.
Adjust the preview camera
position
Bring the Y-stepper in the position of -800 steps if the hardware limit
of the Y-min position allows it. This value is suggested for all three scanner
types. Set the X-stepper value to 28000.
The preview camera mounting is realized with three bolt pairs. The
adjustment bolts define the distance of the camera holding plate from the base.
The mounting bolts fix this distance.
· By loosening the
mounting and the adjustment bolts the preview camera becomes movable.
Adjust the top
slide edge parallel to the edge of the live view preview camera window (in
reality, the preview camera image will be rotated). The camera rotation
angle is acceptable if the top of the slide edge is parallel to the top
edge of the preview camera window; an acceptable deviation is often less
then 0.5 degrees.
After tightening the mounting
bolts and adjustment bolts, any kind of shadow should be minimized and the top
of the slide should not be cut too much.
Remark: The shadow on the
top edge of the preview will be cut later, during the preview calibration
procedure; “Step 2”.
· On the
slide bottom any kind of shadow must be eliminated!
After inserting the calibration slide the live view of preview camera is
shown in the camera window.
Use the crosses of the calibration slide to adjust the focus of the
preview camera objective. After starting the preview procedure this focus
position should never be changed, otherwise, the preview calibration procedure
has to be done again.
Use
the crosses of the calibration slide to adjust the focus of the preview camera
objective.
- Loosen the fixing bolt of the focus part of the preview objective,
adjust the focus position so, that the centers of the circles are in focus
and then tighten the fixing bolt.
Set
aperture; Tamron
- Loosen the aperture fixing bolt, set the aperture to a value of 3.0
and tighten the fixing bolt.
Remark: To
adjust the aperture of the preview objective the focus unit should be removed
or the horseshoe can be dismounted.
Adjust the focus position; Tamron
Start the service program and select the option
“Preview calibration”.
Load the preview slide in “Manual” or “Automatic” mode; select the
appropriate option.
- The manual mode should be selected if the magazine unit is removed.
- The automatic mode should be used if the magazine and slide loading
procedure is done by the magazine unit and the slide loader.
See also: “Insert or
remove a slide manually”
After inserting the preview calibration slide (Test slide #2) the live view of the
preview camera is shown in the camera window.
Use the
crosses of the calibration slide to adjust the focus of the preview camera
objective.
- Loosen the fixing bolt of the focus part of the preview objective,
adjust the focus position so, that the centers of the circles are in focus
and then tighten the fixing bolt.
Adjust
the camera position; VRm
Bring
the Y-stepper motor in the position where the edge of the slide is near to the
top edge of the preview window. Set the X-stepper value to 28800.
- Loosen the brightfield preview illumination adjustment
and fixing bolts a little bit and remove the shadow from the top edge of
the live view window, then tighten the bolts carefully; they are driven
into plastic!
Remark: This
adjustment is done only to see the top edge of the slide as sharp as possible;
so the camera rotation angle can be adjusted properly.
To loosen the camera and
objective holder you need a 1.5 mm hex wrench.
- Hold the camera from beneath (the rear of the camera) and loosen
the camera holder fixing bolt a little bit until the camera becomes barely
moveable.
By loosening one of the “Rotation angle” bolts and
tightening the opposite bolt, the rotation angle will be modified; see also
“Preview objective and camera holder” above.
- Adjust the
top slide edge parallel to the edge of the live view preview camera window
(in reality, the preview camera image will be rotated). The camera rotation
angle is acceptable if the top of the slide edge is parallel to the top
edge of the preview camera window; an acceptable deviation is often less
then 0.5 degrees.
Remark: The shadow on the
top edge of the preview will be cut later, during the preview calibration
procedure; “Step 2”.
· On the
slide bottom any kind of shadow must be eliminated!
· Modify
the preview illumination position, until the requirement is fulfilled; check
also the correct preview camera position!
The preview calibration part of
the SlideScannerService program adjusts the pixel view of the preview
camera to the FOV (Field of view) of the scan camera, because both cameras are
physically in distance to each other.
The preview calibration includes:
1. Defining
the position of the preview camera’s pixel and the scan camera’s FOV.
2. Adjusts the
pixel position of the preview camera to the FOV position of the scan camera.
3. The
preview camera takes three images from the slide. The parameters for assembling
the three parts are defined in the preview calibration process.
4. Defining the
barcode area.
The calibration slide (Test slide #2) defines positions
inside the scan area with circles containing a cross. The centers of
the crosses are marker positions for the preview camera and the scan camera
also.
X- Y- Stage area
X: steps Actual position
of the X-stepper motor
Y: steps Actual position
of the Y-stepper motor
X-Y step: 5000 Step range
for the blue arrow buttons
Scale 1, 10, 100
The step number of the numbered buttons can be varied
between at least 2 steps (Scale=1) and 2000 steps (Scale=100). This way, you
can find desired positions quicker.
· With a
right click on a numbered or arrow button the original direction will be
inverted. The stepper motor is moved with the number of steps written in the
button but the movement occurs in opposite direction.
Focus
Auto: Finds
the focus position via the auto focus function, realized in the program SlideScanner.exe.
1600: Actual focus position field
Step rate: Step
rate for the blue arrows. By right clicking on an arrow button (or a numbered
button also), the original direction will be inverted by the actual number of steps,
given in the field “Step rate”.
Each
step of the preview calibration procedure is finished by pressing the NEXT
button.
With the Previous Step button you can go backward step
by step. At some steps this option is not available.
The
command and status window tells you the instructions, what to do and results of
calculations.
Step 1: Automatic
slide handling: uses
the slide insert and remove options offered by the SlideScanner.exe
program.
Manual: moves
the specimen holder to a position where a slide can be easily inserted or removed.
The insert or remove procedure is done by the user, manually (e.g. if the
magazine unit is removed).
See also: “Insert or
remove a slide manually”
Step 2: Cut from top:
Go to the
position Y= 14000 with the Y-Stage tool, so that the top of the slide is
visible. If the preview camera is already adjusted and there is a shadow
visible on the top part, it has to be cut off with this option. Because the
entire preview is assembled from three preview camera images, this shadow have
to be fully cut. See also „Adjust the
preview camera position”.
Step
3: Position the central circles between the red lines:
With
the tools in the “X- Y-Stage area” the desired result will be reached. An
accuracy of 200 steps is enough.
Step
4: Adjust the threshold until only the circles
are visible:
Remark: This step is done only one time, if the three circles
are in the middle of the preview window.
Before
threshold adjustment
Adjust threshold until the inside of
the circles is empty, without dots or lines, but the circles are fully visible.
The
desired result after the threshold adjustment
Step
5: Place the red squares over the circles:
The cross
in the middle of the red squares should be inside of the circle, but an exact
match with the center of the circle is not required. The squares are numbered;
please place the squares in the right order: 1, 2, and 3 from left to right.
- By dragging one of the red squares with the left mouse button all
three squares are moved at the same time, by dragging with the right
button, you can move each square separately.
· The
squares are numbered; please place the squares in the right order: 1, 2, 3 from
left to right.
Step
6: If the calculated circle centers are
correct...
The
correct result is shown on the right.
The blue crosses meeting the center
of the circles.
Step 7, 8 and 9:
Repeat the steps 3, 5 and 6 on the top
of the camera window logically.
Step 10, 11 and 12:
Repeat the steps 3, 5 and 6 on the
bottom of the camera window logically.
Step 13: Move
the stage to the most homogenous background illumination
Some times on the left edge of the camera window
illumination differences are visible. By moving the stage to the right by
several hundreds of steps the uneven illumination can be eliminated or
minimized.
·
If the stage is moved too much in the direction X-min
of the scan area, the unevenly part of the illumination may be visible.
Without
uneven illumination
Step 14: Find
the centre of the spots
Fit the center of the
black cross with the centre of the red cross by using the X- Y- stage control
buttons.
Before you press the NEXT button for the first
time, you can correct the scan camera position / rotation angle and the 20x
objective focus position.
After starting this step the auto focus option
adjusts the focus position for the scan camera. Now you can adjust the focus
position of the objective for the scan camera manually, if required.
After pressing the button “TEST Backlash” check
the position of the crosses to each other again and correct this if necessary.
After pressing the TEST button the X-Y-stage is moved to the next circle by
pressing the NEXT button (the same button with double task).
Repeat this procedure with all 9 circles.
· Since the software
version 1.15 only the 4 corner circles are used.
Step
15: Place the red squares onto the corner circles
The cross in the middle of the red
squares should be inside of the circle, but an exact match with the center of the
circle is not required.
By dragging one of the red squares
with the left mouse button all four squares are moved at the same time, by
dragging with the right button you can move each square separately.
· The
squares are numbered! Please place the squares in the right order: 1, 2, 3 and
4 from top left to bottom right.
Step 16: Fit the barcode area into the red square
With the X-Y-stage
control buttons bring the barcode area of the slide into the red rectangle. The
border, given by the red rectangle should be a little bit away from the left
slide edge. Because the slide width tolerances of the allowed slide size are
growing up or reduces the right side of the slide, the right edge should be
fully inside the red rectangle if we are not using the widest possibke slide.
The lower edge of the slide should be equal with
the lower edge of the preview camera window.
Furthermore, we adjust now the barcode
illumination.
· Bend the LEDs
carefully so, that the barcode area is illuminated nearly homogenously.
· Modify the
exposure time of the preview camera to lower values, so the adjustment can be
checked easier.
After finishing
step 16 a dialog appears on the screen and you can check the result
of preview calibration visually, if you answering YES (Igen).
Step
17: Test the result
By selecting a higher resolution
with the “Scale factor” the possibility to find the centre of the circle is
higher. The goal of this option is that by clicking with the cursor in the
middle of a circle on the preview window (right window), to see the center of
the circle in the camera window.
This way, you can check the result
of the calibration before exiting the calibration program.
At the end of calibration, please do not forget to
save the resulting parameter values to the
file “MicroscopeConfiguration.ini” by pressing the ”Update
Parameters” button.
Exit the preview
calibration program by pressing the button DONE.
Next we scan the top left circle with the program
“SlideScanner.exe”.
Adjust the pixel position
of the preview camera
Adjust
the pixel position of the preview camera to the field of view of the scan
camera.
The goal of this
adjustment is, to see the same part of the tissue with the scan camera and the
preview camera also.
This task is done
by the preview calibration program, but the software is not able to find this
position correctly. Therefore, we must adjust the position of the pixel of the
preview camera more precise to the position of the field of view to the scan camera
“manually” by modifying pre-calculated parameter values.
As shown on the
right the scan program offers in the preview window the entire circle for
scanning (dilation=0; the red-brown area).
By checking the
scan result with the viewer, we can see, the circle is cut, so the offered area
is incorrect.
·
The size of the cut part is variable.
This chapter
describes which parameter values must be modified to fit both areas.
Important remark
·
The offered scan area, offered by the
preview camera’s view, will be named as “Spot”
·
The really scanned area is represented by
the “Circle”.
·
Of course, the entire area is scanned by
the scan camera, but our reference position will be the center of the circle in
relation to its surrounding.
·
In the picture above, the circle is cut,
this means, the offered area for scanning (offered by the preview camera) will
not met the real position of the circle on the slide.
·
Therefore, we have to shift the offered
preview area (the spot) to the left and a bit downward; so we will see the
circle in the center of the offered scan area.
·
All modifications, described below are
done with the offered scan area, offered by the preview camera’s view!
See also: Pixel
position and corrections
and FOV
and Preview
Scan the top left
corner circle
Start
the SlideScanner.exe, load a magazine
with the calibration slide, insert the calibration slide and set the following
options:
In the preview
section check the box “Use selection box”.
Select the upper left corner circle of the calibration
slide with the selection box as shown. Hereby it is important, that a small not
scanned area is included inside the selection box (white area).
Select the
options “Fill holes in scan area” and “Remove specks”.
Select the “Scan
area dilation” to zero.
With “Manual threshold” checked, adjust the threshold of
the preview so, that unwanted pixels are not disturbing the view.
Adjust the “Speck
size” as needed.
Select
“Live view” in the section “Focus”.
Find any edge or a part of the cross with the positioning
tool (below the preview window) in the upper left corner circle in the preview
window and bring it into focus.
Check the option “Limited focus range” and click “Set
current”.
This way we are using the limited focus range for the
upper left corner circle during the scan process.
In the
dialog “Scan options” uncheck the checkbox “stitching”.
The focus frequency values are shown for the marlin
camera.
Define a destination path for the slide to be scanned.
If the
directory already exists, you can select it by using “Browse”, otherwise you
can type in a path in the field “Slide directory path”.
Exit the dialogue “Scan options” with OK.
Type in a file name and start the scan process.
With the viewer program we checking now the result, it
can be somewhat like this.
As visible,
the circle is situated in the bottom left corner of the spot, defined by the
preview camera. Therefore, the circle should be moved to the right and upward
in relation to the spot.
· In practice,
we are shifting the spot (the tissue area, offered by the preview camera)
downward and to the left, so, the circle position moves center-ward!
· The
spot represents the scan area, offered by the preview camera.
· The
circle represents the actual position of the scan camera in relation to the
preview camera (the spot).
· The
goal is now to move the circle into the center of the spot.
Use this calculation
table to correct the position of the circle
This
table is available as an Excel file and by setting the desired input parameters
(In the green pull down menus) the configuration in front of you can be
selected. The result is shown in the yellow fields; this value should be added
or subtracted respectively from the named parameter value. The parameters are
found in the file MicroscopeConfiguration.ini section
[PreviewAndBarcodeScanning].
The “Status” line shows mistakes, if the selected
parameters can not be used in conjunction with the defined scan camera, but the
calculated result is always correct for actually set options!
· The status informs you, that the selected combination is incorrect, it
is a warning only!
See also: “FOV and Preview”; “Calculate offset value”
and “Sensor characteristics”
Preview corrections and pixel position
Scan
the 4 corner circles of “Test slide #2”. To achieve a good scan quality it is
necessary to define a focus limit range in the option “Focus” of the scan
program. With the Pannoramic viewer program we are checking the
relation between tissue (the circle with cross) and the spot (visible
surrounding of the sample) of the scanned test slide #2. The goal is to fit the
image, offered by the preview camera (the spots) with the circles, the real
position of the tissue. Use the table above to calculate the values for fitting
the tissue nearly to the center of the spot.
The appropriate parameters are found in the file
“MicroscopeConfiguration.ini” section [PreviewAndBarcodeScanning]. In
reality, we are moving the spot (the area, seen from the preview camera), not
the tissue (position of the scan camera). All corrections described here are
made with the preview image. The calculated values are added to or subtracted
from the actual values. For correction you can use integer values only (except “PreviewImageMicrometerPerPixelX”
and
“PreviewImageMicrometerPerPixelY”), fractions should be rounded.
With
this correction the entire tissue (all four corner circles) are moved seemingly
up or down respectively and only the circles connected with line
“1” should be observed after correction and scanning, in relation to the
spots of the previous scan result. In reality the position of the scan area,
seen by the preview camera is modified (the position of the spot). This way,
the pixels, seen by the preview camera are adjusted to the FOV of the scan
camera. In some cases, you are unable to fit the circles exactly; then you
should use an optimum value. The parameter value to be modified for this
adjustment is “PreviewImageTopLeftCornerPositionY” and is
situated in the file “MicroscopeConfiguration.ini” section
[PreviewAndBarcodeScanning].
To shift the spots downward, increase the value of the
parameter “PreviewImageTopLeftCornerPositionY”.
· In the
example on the right, increase the value of the parameter “PreviewImageTopLeftCornerPositionY”.
See also: Pixel position and corrections
and FOV
and Preview
With
this correction the entire tissue (all four corner circles) are seemingly moved
left or right respectively and only the circles, connected with line “
To shift the spots to the right, increase the value of
the parameter “PreviewCropLeft”.
· In the
example on the right, increase the value of the parameter “PreviewCropLeft”.
See also: Pixel position and corrections
and FOV
and Preview
The
pixel size of the preview will be corrected or modified in X-direction of the
entire sample. Because the influence of this parameter to the left hand part of
the sample (circles) is very small, you can really use it to correct the
position of the right hand circles, connected with line “
· In
the example on the right, increase the value of the parameter “PreviewImageMicrometerPerPixelX”.
See also: Pixel position and corrections
and FOV
and Preview
The
pixel size of the preview will be corrected or modified in Y-direction of the
entire preview image. Because the influence of this parameter to the upper
circles is very small, you can really use it to correct the position of the
lower circles, connected with line “
· In the
example on the right, decrease the value of the parameter “PreviewImageMicrometerPerPixelY”.
See also: Pixel position and corrections
and FOV
and Preview
Prepare
the preview for scanning
Start
the Pannoramic SCAN software, load a magazine with the calibration
slide, insert the calibration slide and prepare the preview of the test slide
#2 as described above in the chapter “To scan the upper left corner
circle”.
In the preview tools select the tools:
· “Square
or Rectangle” (a)
· “Not
scanned” (b) and
· “Zoom
200%” (c).
By drawing rectangles, exclude the horizontal and
vertical center circles from the scan process as shown with 1 and 2 of “The
prepared preview”.
With the
limited focus the scan process of the test slide is done quicker and the
circles are scanned sharpen. To ensure, that all four circles are scanned
sharpen, the focus position must be checked for each of the circles, and
depending on the focus position of each circle the limited focus range must be
defined.
1. With
the positioning tool selected, find the center or any edge of the circle
(1).
2. Press
the button “Auto focus” (2).
3. Select
a step rate of 5 or 10 focus steps and check the found focus position of
sharpness (2a, 2b).
4. If the
sharp life view is found (3), check the checkbox “Limited focus range” (4) and
press the button “Set current” (5). The software defines the limited focus
range by the upper limit = actual focus position + 32 focus steps and the lower
focus limit = actual focus position -32 focus steps.
Check or set the focus limit for the other 3 circles
5. Repeat
steps 1 to 3 with the next circle.
6. Check
the found focus position in relation to the existing focus range. If the found
focus position is inside the existing focus limits, check the next circle.
7. If the
found focus position is outside the existing focus limit, type a new value for
the upper or lower focus limit respectively as required (6). In the example on
the right a value of 1560 for the lower limit would be acceptable. If the
scanned circles are partly not sharp, might be the focus range must be defined
larger.
Correct the preview and adjust the pixel position
1. Insert
test slide #2 and prepare the preview so, that only the four corner circles will
be scanned. Check the focus position of all four corner circles as described
above and define a limited focus range. Use always a different file
name for each scanned slide.
2. Scan
test slide #2.
3. Switch
to SlideViewer.exe and load the just scanned test slide.
4. Check
the position of the upper two circles in relation to their spots. For better
visibility use the “color panel” “correction” option and shift the contrast
slider downward and the gamma slider fully up. So you get better contrast for
the spot and it will be more visible.
5. Calculate
the number of FOV for shifting the sample up or down respectively and modify
the appropriate parameters (PreviewImageTopLeftCornerPositionY and PreviewCropBottom) in
“MicroscopeConfiguration.ini” and save the file.
6. Exit
the entire SlideScanner.exe program and start it again to reload the
.ini files with the new parameter values. Repeat steps 1 to 6 until the
tissue fits their spots in Y-direction, see also above “Shift sample up / down.
If this adjustment is finished, go to step 7.
7. Repeat
Steps 1 to 6 logically, but now we adjust the spots by shifting them left
/right. See also above “Shift sample left / right. Repeat this
sequence until the position of the circles, connected with line “2” are in
the centre of their spots, so the X-position is defined. If this
adjustment is finished, go to step 8.
8. Repeat
Steps 1 to 6 logically, but now we are adjust the spots connected with line
“3”by shifting them left /right. This we achieve by modifying the parameter
value of Preview ImageMicrometerPerPixelX. See also above
“Shift the right hand spots”.
9. Repeat
Steps 1 to 6 logically, but now we are adjust the spots connected with line
“4” by shifting them up / down. This we achieve by modifying the parameter
value of PreviewImage MicrometerPerPixelY. See
also above “Shift the lower spots”.
· Please
do not forget to uncheck the option “Limited focus range” and to check the
option “Stitching”.
If the
preview calibration and the pixel size adjustment was done and the program
SlideScanner.exe is running, load a slide, increase the preview area size if
necessary and check the correctness of the scan area adjustment as
follows:
· After
the positioning tool is selected click on the edges and outside of the slide
(in the preview area window) and check after each click the correctness of the
position as described in the paragraph above “Check the found
limit position”. The limit of specimen holder movement is always
the scan area. If the focus pin is jamming or the check
sounds like metal, the scan area is too large and must be decreased at the
appropriate edge.
· Check
the corners also, especially the “rounded” corner.
Save
the file “MicroscopeConfiguration.ini” to the EEPROM of your scanner.
Barcode reading
and adjustments
For
technicians and sales managers!
These
instructions describe the procedure to define the barcode area and the
adjustments necessary for reading barcodes with Pannoramic S_M_D
scanners, equipped with
- The preview camera VRmc-8+ PRO or
DFK 21F04
and
- The preview objective, TAMRON
23FM16SP or the objective, used with the DFK camera
If the barcode reading is not allowed in the dongle for
the SlideScanner software, barcodes can not
be read; nevertheless the barcode dongle is connected.
Check the barcode reader unit for
necessary adjustments:
· If the barcode print quality on
the barcode area is high or acceptable and barcodes can be read, but some
barcode types are unreadable (with also a high print quality), then adjustments
may be needed.
- Service program for Pannoramic scanners
(SlideScannerSrevice.exe) with actual license file
- Pannoramic SCAN and Pannoramic Viewer software
(SlideScanner.exe, SlideScannerViewer.exe) with actual license file / dongle
- Dongle for barcode reading
- Installed Matrox library
for barcode reading (MIL 9.0; received with the installation CD)
- 1.5, 2.5, 3 and 5 mm hex key wrenches,
Before
you start adjusting the components of the barcode reader, try to read barcodes of
different kind and codes and do the following checks; see also barcodes in practice:
1. If there is no
barcode readable or available:
· Check
the Matrox
driver installation
· Check
the presence of the dongle
for barcode reading
· Check
the validity of the license file or dongle
· Check
the focus
position of the preview camera
· Check
the size of the preview
objective aperture
· Check
the selected barcode type in the dialogue “Barcode settings”
2. If several barcodes are unreadable:
· Check the barcode print quality on
the slide’s barcode area
· Check
the uniformity of
illumination on the barcode area
· Check the size of the barcode area
· Check
the focus
position of the preview camera
· Check
the size of the preview
objective aperture
· Check
the selected barcode type in the dialogue “Barcode settings”
Define the barcode area
We assume that the preview calibration procedure is
already done and the barcode area is defined properly. For details to define
the barcode area please refer to the “Step
16: Fit the barcode area into the red square”.
Attention:
·
Do not copy the
MIL Runtime folder to your desktop! Instead copy the folder to C:\. Because
there are a lot of long file- and folder names inside
the MIL Runtime folder, the maximal path length will exceed the limit, and
the install procedure can not be executed successfully. Never install the MIL
Runtime via network!
·
For further
information please refer to “Setup the
Matrox Imaging Library”.
Start the
Pannoramic scan software and check the barcode
readability.
Adjust the
preview camera parameters and barcode illumination for barcode reading and preview capturing
For a successful
barcode reading the adjustment of the barcode illumination, the correct setting of the focus position of
the preview camera is essential. For this adjustment a slide with a white label
area and a barcode test set is required.
Attention
If you adjusted the focus position
of the preview camera objective you have to do the preview calibration process
again. For details to execute the preview calibration please refer to the “Preview calibration above”.
A
fully white barcode area can be created easily by sticking a blank adhesive
label onto the slide and the edges are cut around with a utility knife. The
white barcode area is required to check the uniformity of illumination.
Adjust the barcode
illumination
Start the program
“SlideScanner.exe” with the service password. Insert a slide with white label
area and select the tab “Service” and “Microscope control”. In the pull down menu
“Video source” select the “Preview camera”. After click on “live view” check
the checkbox “Barcode area illumination” and set the “Backlight illumination
intensity” to zero.
To reach a uniform
barcode area illumination, please bend the LED’s carefully and observe the live
view. By modifying the PCB position, the uniform illumination of the barcode
area can be also reached.
1.
Adjust the position of the PCB.
2.
Bend the LEDs carefully until a uniform
barcode area illumination is reached.
The following
dialog is implemented since the version 1.11 in the program
“SlideScanner.exe” and can be found in “Options”, “Barcode settings”.
1D Barcode
Types, 2D Barcode Types
Check the
appropriate radio button for the barcode type you are expected to read. In
the file “Barcode print check.pdf” you will find enclosed the barcode set
and you can compare the view of barcode to the samples.
1D
Barcodes with check digit
This barcodes
including a check of correct reading the barcode and this is added as a digit
of the barcode (always the last character position). With checked checkbox
“Exclude check digit” this check digit is not displayed and is also not a part
of the read barcode. For test possibilities you can uncheck this checkbox, the
check digit will be displayed and is a part of the read barcode.
Fore
ground color
The foreground
color is black. If the barcode is reverse printed (white barcode on black
background) select the foreground color as white.
Preprocess
Barcode Image
Sharpen
The sharpness is
calculated meanwhile the barcode image is taken.
Gamma
modification
A slider will be opened
and you can adjust a value for gamma in the range of
Contrast
modification
A slider will be
opened and you can adjust a value for contrast in the range of
Special
Barcode Settings
Barcode
string length
You can define a
string length, coded in the barcode. This way, the barcode detection will be
quicker. If the number of coded characters in the barcode and the
number of characters to be read defined here is not identical, an error message
occurs, “There is no barcode”. If zero is selected (default) any string length
can be read.
Maxi
code dot spacing
The dot spacing
for the dots in the maxi code can be defined. Maxi code barcode can be created
with dot spacing different from the default value (0). For successful barcode decoding
this dot spacing value must be defined here.
Other
Use
barcode compensation Image
This is one of
two possibilities to increase the readability of barcodes. The compensation
image, taken with the “Grab New” option is used to compensate the barcode image
for best barcode decoding results. The image is stored and will be used until
this checkbox is checked.
Grab
New
A new
compensation image is taken of the barcode area and will be stored; the
previously took compensation image will be overwritten. It is important, that
an exact white (not light gray) area is inserted and the surface should be very
smooth. An only white paper surface is too rough.
Barcode
exposure time increase
This is another
possibility to increase the readability of barcodes. Because the automatically
calculated exposure time often produces a too dark view of the barcode area,
you can increase the brightness of the view; and so you increase the
readability of barcodes. The calculated exposure time reflects to the value of
100 percent. To find a well usable value for the exposure time, the start value
of 100 percent should be increased by a step rate of 10 percent until the
optimum was found.
Check
barcode reading with different barcodes and types
Now we are
checking the readability of defined barcodes. For this purpose a set of
barcodes is required that fulfill the requirements in pixel size and mechanical
dimensions for the smallest, readable barcodes. In the appendix you find a set
of barcodes for testing. If this page is printed onto an adhesive label sheet
and each label is stuck on a slide, you created your own barcode test set. For
further details see the appendix. After all these barcodes are recognized
successfully by the Matrox Imaging Library, check some samples of the
user’s unreadable barcodes. See also chapter “7 Barcodes in practice”.
1. Start the program “SlideScanner.exe” and
in the tab “options” of the first selector screen select the option “Barcode Settings”.
2. Insert a slide with barcode.
3. In the selector guide “Barcode
settings” select the barcode type to be decoded. The type, shown on the slide
label and selected in the “Barcode settings” must be equal.
4. Press the button “Read barcode”.
5. The software starts the barcode reading
and decoding, the result is written in the field below the button “Read
barcode”. If the barcode can not be decoded in 5 attempts the error message
“There is no barcode” is displayed.
Attention:
Some 1D barcodes can be read
with different types and the contents of the barcode is different also. To
achieve the correct barcode content select always the appropriate barcode type
in “barcode settings”!
1. Repeat steps 2 to 4 with all slides of the
barcode check set.
2. Read barcodes from the users “Hard to
read” collection.
The following
examples show barcodes, coded with Data-matrix. The left hand column shows
the original barcode area of the slides and on the right hand
column you find the same slide as it is seen by the preview camera for barcode
analyzing and decoding. In the following we analyze the barcode print. Slides
with visible faults in the barcode should be excluded from the tissue creation
process. All the following barcode prints was read with the same illumination
setup. Unreadable barcode prints could also not be read after illumination
modifying. To ensure a high print quality and to increase the readability of
the barcode the slide’s barcode area should be clean and dry, free of moisture,
before printing. The printers, even ink jet printers should be maintained in
the defined time interval and the ink cartridge should be changed if the “ink
low” message occurs. Ink jet printers have often an integrated service part
with a “Clean” option in their drivers. Run the “clean” and “Test print”
options if the print quality is reduced.
Figure
1: The slide has a LASER printed
barcode paper label. A good solution, the barcode print is rich in contrast and
therefore easily and safely readable.
Figure
2: The barcode was printed with an ink
jet printer direct onto the surface of the slide. May be there was too much
ink, the slide was moved before the ink was dry or moisture is on the barcode
area meanwhile printing. Contrast poor, blurry or diffuse barcode print is
unreadable.
Figure
3: The barcode was printed with an ink
jet printer direct onto the surface of the slide. A nozzle does not work during
printing. A missed jet in the print may be readable or not, it depends on the position,
where the jet is lost. Maintain the printer.
Figure
4: The barcode was printed with an ink
jet printer direct onto the surface of the slide. Some jets have not enough
ink, so the contrast is partially reduced. A contrast reduced print may be
readable or not. Maintain the printer and / or change the ink patron earlier.
Figure
5: The barcode was printed with an ink
jet printer direct onto the surface of the slide. Some jets have not enough
ink, so the contrast is partially reduced. A contrast reduced print may be
readable or not. Maintain the printer and / or change the ink patron earlier.
Figure
6: The barcode is engraved by a LASER
beam. The contrast is reduced because a white surface (=background) is
“printed” (as a result of engraving) with glass, so the contrast cannot be
much. This barcode needs very uniform adjusted illumination, exact adjusted
white balance and shutter values.
Appendix
Create
your own barcode check set.
In the
file “Barcode print check.pdf” you will find enclosed the barcode set. The
content of this page generates a full, specified barcode
test set.
Please print the
file “Barcode print check.pdf” perhaps with a LASER printer onto an
adhesive label sheet with 27 labels organized as 3 columns with 9 lines of
labels, the upper border is 5 mm and the lower border is 3 mm, with
no border on the left and no border on the right.
The size of one
label is 70 mm x 32 mm without space to each other.
After printing,
stick each label onto a slide and cut it around with a utility knife.
Take into account
that the slide clamp lower part in Pannoramic SCAN cuts out a bit of
the barcode area. The shadow should not disturb the barcode print.
To prevent the barcode print from dust and
finger prints during use, stick a strip “tesa Film crystal clear” 19
mm in with or equivalent translucent strip over the barcode print; so it
becomes cleanable. If the adjustments are correct and no mistake occurred
meanwhile creation, all this barcodes are readable; even if the label is
stacked on slanted.