INTRODUCTION

I provide the means for clients to acquire a complete modular fibre-optic microfade tester which is robust, reliable and simple to use. The advantages of a fibre optic design are outlined below.
 
I purchase, assemble, and pre-test optical components such as lenses and fibres from sources like Thorlabs and Edmund Optics, and 3D print the necessary opto-mechanical parts required to construct a microfade tester. Clients buy  the lamp and spectrometer directly from the manufacturers/agents and have them delivered directly to their institution.

The lamp and spectrometer aside, there are no non user-serviceable components such as auto-focus or electronics requiring return to base servicing. The warranties for the lamp and spectrometer remain directly with the client and can be returned for repair or replaced without any other modification or optical alignment steps on their return.

I charge only for materials and my time, the major aspect of which is remote or onsite installation and training (below). I do not sell or receive commissions on anything other than the 3D printed optomechanical parts which are essential - but in terms of cost – trivial components.

The software, data acquisition and manipulation VBA macros (for XL) and reporting templates are free, as are the video and written instructions relating to installation, setup and operation of the software and hardware.
 
A fully set-up laptop may be provided as part of the package, avoiding IT involvement in installing the software and VBA macros used to acquire the spectral data and create the tables and charts for the report templates. It is sometimes easier for conservation departments to include the cost of the laptop in their funding bid, and a fully set-up computer makes the installation and training easier because everything is tested as working before delivery.

All components including 600mm arm

HARDWARE COMPONENTS

• Ocean Insight HPX-2000-HP-DUV xenon lamp.
• Perkin Elmer PDA512 (formerly Control Development) spectrometer with order sorting filter for FORS applications. Wavelength range up to 1200nm.
• Thorlabs components including 0.5” lenses and lens barrels, inline filter holder, UV-resistant optical fibre, optical filters.
• Edmund Optics rack and pinion focus stage #03-682
• 3D printed optomechanical components including lens assembly head (MFT head (microfading.com).
• Engineering cross-slide table for fine X_Y translation and stable base.
• Microscope camera for fine location control and documentation.

SOFTWARE (free)

• Perkin Elmer (Control Development) Spec32, including datalogging and live DeltaE tracking
• Excel VBA routines for Spec32 data acquisition, table and chart presentation and reporting. (Bruce Ford

          and/or

• Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) Spectra Viewer software developed for this particular spectrometer and its Spec32 software.
• Report templates (PowerPoint)
  

THE ADVANTAGE OF A FIBRE OPTIC DESIGN
in any microfading apparatus Illumination must be  normal to the surface under test.

With the fibre optic design the  microfading "head" can be rapidly positioned out to 600mm along the boom arm (as supplied) and at any angle whilst still allowing accurate focusing. Testing of large and 3D objects is a simple and rapid process without having to orient the object (or parts of it) under a fixed orientation microfading head. It is particularity useful for books because it avoids having to force the spine or spend time propping them into a stable and suitable orientation. The boom arm can be extended to any length with 1.5" (38mm) aluminium tube with support for the other end.. This can be as simple as a laboratory stand and clamp, or a stable base and 3D printed

The equipment comes with 2m illumination and spectrometer fibres, which may be substituted with longer versions if required.

Simple vertical or horizontal orientation or any angle in between

600mm reach standard, can be extended to any length with a bridging 1.5" (38mm) aluminium tube supported at the other end. Left hand side, aerial survey photograph Auckland War Memorial Museum NZ; right hand side, Australian Central Desert Aboriginal life-size Tjanpi figure, National Museum of Australia

Test at any height. Avoid forcing book spines and/or spending time orienting whole books and other 3D objects so that the surface under test is normal to the illumination lens.

Test inside storage boxes without removing contents. Particularly useful for textiles

Training and installation