Model XM-1 Operating Instructions

PLEASE READ these instructions before operating your unit, incorrect operation may damage the unit and void your warranty.
 
 

Features

The XM-1 is an advanced portable light instrument for home or office use. Some of the important advantages of this instrument are:

• portable, 16 x 20 x 9 inches
• flexible light guide output to eyes or body; tripod holder
• xenon arc lamp, full spectrum plasma source
• multifunction remote control with LED nanometer readout
• LCD glasses providing adjustable flash rate for use with eyes
• adjustable color bandwidth, 10 to 50 nanometers
 
 

Important precautions

The XM is a sensitive optical instrument, it requires the same care in handling as a camera or telescope might. Please be aware of the following precautions to avoid damage to the instrument:
 

Ventilation:

the XM contains a 300 watt arc lamp, power supply, and electronics. If cooling vents are blocked, damage will occur. Each time before applying power, be sure that the entrance and exit vents are not covered or obstructed in any way. Only operate the unit with it sitting on a hard surface such as the floor or a table; this ensures adaquate clearance between the surface and the vent holes on the bottom of the unit. Do not operate the unit sitting on an upholstered chair or table.
 

Case cover:

the XM case must be closed and latched during operation. Otherwise the components are not properly cooled and can be damaged.
 

Orientation:

the XM should normally be operated only horizontally with the four feet contacting the floor or table. When the case is standing on its vertical feet, it is unstable and can tip over. Be aware of this when transporting or moving the unit. If left in a vertical position, the unit must be facing a wall or other surface to prevent tip over.
 

Transportation:

Do NOT transport or store the unit in a car trunk or enclosed car area. Summer temperatures in a car can exceed 200° F, which will damage plastic components in the unit. The unit should also have some padding underneath it to avoid excess vibration. If you move the unit by car, we suggest placing an old blanket or foam pad on the floor on the front passenger side. Then place the unit on its feet horizontally on top of this pad.

When setting the unit down after carrying it, place it gently on the floor or surface. Dropping the unit from a height of even a half-inch or inch can affect the internal alignment; think of it as a camera.
 

Light guide:

the light guide must not be subject to any sharp bends. Be aware of its position in a darkened room so that you don't accidentally run into it, trip over it, or step on it. The light guide lens tube and end connector contain exposed glass surfaces. Use the supplied covers when the guide is disconnected and not in use. This prevents the glass from hitting a hard object and shattering. Take care not to drop the lens tube when positioning it into the tripod holder. The light guide contains a special light transmitting liquid; do not subject the guide to freezing or hot temperatures (above 100° or below 32° F).
 
 

Assembly

The XM consists of several components: (1) the main unit is the large black suitcase. This contains the optics and power supplies. (2) the computer is an ivory colored plastic box with three cables coming out of the front. The center cable from the computer plugs into the main unit. (3) the hand controller has three buttons and an LED display that the operator uses to control the unit. It plugs into the computer. (4) LCD glasses optionally can plug into the computer, if it is desired to have a flash rate for applying color through the eyes. (5) the light guide connector plugs into the main unit and channels the light from the main unit, through the light guide to the lens tube , from which it shines. (6) the light guide can be held by hand, or supported by a tripod stand. On the top of the stand is a flexible gooseneck and a clamp that holds onto the lens tube.

Before plugging anything in, ensure that the power is turned off on the main unit. Both of the toggle switches should be pointed down towards the case bottom. The main unit power cord is the twist-lock type. Align the lugs of the power cable to the connector in the main unit. Insert the connector, then twist to lock it on. You must twist in the opposite direction when you want to take it off.

The electronics are easy to plug in. All of the cables have lettered codes on them which match the other end of the cable. First plug in the computer box to the main unit. The long center cable on the computer, marked M, plugs into the connector, marked M, on the main unit.

The hand controller, marked H, plugs into the cable on the computer marked H. The glasses, marked G, plug into the computer cable marked G. There is an extension cord provided for the glasses if you need a longer cord.

Please be careful you don't mix up any of these connectors, simply follow the letter codes and you shouldnt go wrong. DO NOT plug any of these units into telephone equipment, even though the connectors look like the same kind. Similarly do NOT use any telephone type extension cords if you need a longer cord. These are special cables and telephone cables are of a different type.

The light guide connector plugs into the main unit. After the connector is seated, screw in the thumbscrew on the main unit to hold it in place. Tighten up the screw until the connector is snug. Note the curve in the light guide cable near the connector. This is intentional. It acts to relieve strain on the cable. You should orient the cable curve in the general direction in which you are using the cable.

The lens tube may be held in the clamp on the tripod. The clamp should be fastened on the end of the lens tube opposite the lens (where the cable comes in). This gives the best balance and leverage. When adjusting the clamp / lens tube for proper positioning, do not twist on the clamp end. Instead if you want a twisting orientation, place that on the gooseneck or tripod instead. If you try to twist the clamp itself, you may loosen the adjusting nut, which must remain tighted down for precise positioning.
 
 

Controls

 

Power:

The main unit has two toggle switches. The plain switch is the primary power switch. The switch with a red tag is the arc lamp on/off switch. When turning the unit ON, always turn on the main power first. As soon as the main power is turned on, the computer will go into an initialization phase where it locates the limit switch. The LED will display –LS–, and the computer will beep. When this phase is complete the LED will display the current nanometers, which is 550 to start with.

After the main power is turned on, you may then turn on the lamp power. The unit will reinitialize itself and relocate the limit switch.

When turning the unit OFF, it is important to properly cool the lamp and electronics. For this reason, always turn off the lamp power first. What we suggest is that you feel for the switches in the darkened room. The lamp switch has the tag on it, so it should be the last switch to be turned on, and the first switch to be turned off. Always feel the switch first before turning the power off, then you are less likely to make a mistake.

If you DO turn off the main power switch first, by mistake, don't panic. Simply turn off both switches, and turn on the main power again. This will start the fan and let the unit cool off.

After turning off the lamp, allow the exit air from the fan to cool off first before turning off the main power switch. This usually takes five minutes or so.

If you have to turn the lamp back on, always wait first until it has cooled off, before turning it on again. This will prolong the life of the lamp.

Another guideline that maximizes lamp life is to leave the lamp on a minimum of 10 minutes, each time you turn it on. I.e., dont turn it on for a couple minutes, then turn it off again, repeatedly.
 

Hand controller:

The hand controller is simple to operate. The left and right buttons decrease and increase the nanometer setting which is shown on the LED display. When the unit first powers up, the display shows 550 nanometers, this is exactly in the center of the visible range, which is 400 nm (violet) to 700 nm (ruby red). 550 is also the wavelength of peak visual response in the human eye, the brightest color. As you approach the end points of the spectrum, both the eye becomes less sensitive, and the grating inside the instrument becomes less efficient. So the light at 700 and 400 nm will look dimmer than at the other colors.

The middle button of the hand controller is used to select from a menu of commands that are available. And since the unit is programmable, as more commands or functions are desired, they can be added easily.

The first press of the middle button will bring up a display on the LED that looks like "underlines":–__–" This means that the unit is in menu mode and it is asking you to make a selection. You choose from the menu items by using the right and left buttons to "scroll" thru the list of available items. Each press of the right button will show you a new two letter code. These codes are mnemonics for the function they represent:

–__– indicates you are in the menu mode
–FL– adjusts the flash rate of the LCD glasses
–SA– save a nanometer position for later recall
–rE– recall a saved nanometer position
–WH– go to white "color"
–AL– alternate, or scan between two settings
–CA– calibration function

If you make a mistake and go past the item you want, simply use the left key to go backwards to the previous menu items. Once you have decided which menu item you want, then press the middle button again. This selects it and causes that function to occur. (If you pressed the middle button by mistake and you dont want any item at all, just ensure that the underlines are displayed and then press the middle button.)
 

Flash:

if you select flash mode, the left and right keys can be used to decrease or increase the flash delay time. Watch the flash rate on the glasses and adjust the rate until you have it where you want it. Then press the middle button again, this will save the new setting.
 

Save:

If you want to return quickly to a certain nanometer position, use the save function. This will store the nanometer reading in a memory (like on a calculator), that can be recalled later.
 

Recall:

After saving a setting, recall will go back to that place you were at before. It also has the affect of swapping the current position with the saved position. So you can alternate between two settings easily.
 

White:

Choosing the white function will cause the unit to display white (all colors) instead of only one color. A second press of the middle key will bring you back to where you were.
 

Alternate:

This function "sweeps" the colors through a range. To use it, you first position the nanometers at the first color, then select the save function. Next position the nanometers at the second color, then select the alternate function. The unit will sweep back and forth between the two colors, including all the colors in between those two nanometer settings. When you are finished, press the middle button to exit this mode.
 

Calibrate:

This is a special function used at the factory to calibrate the unit. We use a precision laboratory monochrometer to adjust the nanometer reading so that it is correct.
 
 
 

Warranty

Lightfield Systems warrants this product to the original purchaser, for one year from date of delivery, to be free from defects in material and workmanship. This warranty does not include cost of inconvenience, damage due to product failure, transportation damages, misuse, abuse, accident or the like. In no event shall Lightfield Systems be liable for incidental or consequential damages.