First free the two scale wires that run to the digital readout and coil them up and secure with a rubber band or wire twist tie.
Move the stage to the extreme left and right to enable removal of the four stage mounting screws.
Open the two lead screw quick releases and lift the stage off of the comparator holding it horizontal. CAUTION: If it is tilted it will slide quickly to one side or front to back and might fall or get damaged.
Take note: If there are any shims or washers under the stage at the mounting location. If shims or washers are present they will have to be replaced the same way they are located now.
Place the new stage on the comparator and then remove the shipping locks. CAUTION: If you tilt the stage during installation it will slide to the side and will damage the teeth in the quick release that engages the lead screw or will damage the stage.
Secure the stage to the optical comparator with the four mounting screws. Leave three of the screws loose and one just snug so that the stage can pivot around it. Turn the screen so that the vernier scale is at 0 or the screen pointer indicates that the horizontal line is set to its horizontal position. Place a pointer on the optical comparator stage so that it appears on the screen along the horizontal line. Now using the lowest magnification lens move the stage left and right using the quick release. If the pointer does not follow the screen horizontal line twist the stage so that the left and right stage travel matches the horizontal line. Then tighten all stage mounting screws and re-attach the scale cables.
Use the locking hardware removed from the new optical comparator stage to lock the old stage for return shipping.
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