did you try the map reading lamp/glasses - magnifier glass with a  
ring lamp inserted in the frame?  or contact microscope vendor, they  
might suggest something.
On Apr 17, 2018, at 5:24 AM, Riccardo Inverardi wrote:

> Greetings to all TechNetters, I am facing a problem and I hope that  
> the
> great experience of the forum can help me.
>
>
>
> I have to provide our AOI operators with an adequate magnification and
> illumination aid to inspect those features that a 2D AOI cannot  
> reliably
> inspect and/or to discriminate false calls from real defects.
>
> We have evaluated different magnification aids: from digital  
> magnifiers, to
> binocular microscopes. The absolutely best option is a stereo  
> microscope
> such as Vision Engineering's Mantis line: depth perception is  
> maintained and
> once the focus has been set, it's easy to switch from focusing on  
> the PC
> screen and inspecting the board.
>
> Disadvantages are high cost, but the worst is that they are  
> cumbersome.
>
> On the other hand, tabletop magnifiers are cheap, have good  
> illumination and
> they are really handy. It's a pity that they usually are too cheap  
> and most
> of all, it seems that no one makes them with adequate magnifying  
> power.
>
>
>
> Currently, our operators have to work ideally in a 1.5 square  
> meters' area
> (actually, they are not trapped in: it's just a "designated area").
>
>
>
> Any suggestion, past experience and lessons learned that you can  
> share will
> be highly appreciated.
>
>
>
> Have a nice day,
>
> Riccardo Inverardi
> AOI Programmer | IPC/J-STD-001 + IPC-A-610 Certified IPC Trainer
>
>
>  <http://www.inteaengineering.it/> INTEA ENGINEERING
> via Chiusure 20 Sale Marasino (BS)
> T +39 030 9824406 | F +39 030 9824407
>
>