Wild 327616 1.5x Co-Axial Incident Illuminator for M3 M7A M8 Stereo Microscope

Wild 327616 1.5x Co-Axial Incident Illuminator for M3 M7A M8 Stereo Microscope

The Wild 327616 is a 1.5x co-axial incident illuminator designed to attach directly to Wild stereo microscopes and deliver bright, on-axis episcopic illumination of opaque specimens. By directing light co-axially through the objective path, the illuminator minimizes shadowing and glare on surface features — a distinct advantage over oblique ring lights when examining reflective or three-dimensional specimens. The unit consists of a circular ring-mount housing that seats around the microscope's objective, coupled to a compact cylindrical power supply module with an integral power cord.

Specifications & What's Included

• Manufacturer: Wild Heerbrugg (Switzerland)
• Part Number: 327616
• Magnification factor: 1.5x
• Illumination type: Co-axial incident (episcopic)
• Housing: Black anodized ring-mount with dual optical port apertures and sliding lens carrier plate
• Optical elements: Two blue-coated lenses visible in ring housing
• Adjustment: Knurled positioning/lock knob on ring housing
• Power supply: Integrated cylindrical module attached to ring housing
• Power cord: Attached two-pin cord included
• Compatible with: Wild M3, Wild M7A, and Wild M8 stereo microscopes

Applications

Wild Heerbrugg (later Leica) stereo microscopes such as the M3, M7A, and M8 were the standard instruments in industrial inspection, electronics manufacturing, biological dissection, gemology, and materials analysis from the 1950s through the 1980s. Co-axial incident illuminators like the 327616 are used when working with opaque specimens — circuit boards, metal surfaces, minerals, machined parts, or biological specimens on solid substrates — where surface detail needs to be lit from above without casting directional shadows. The co-axial configuration is especially valued for inspecting highly reflective surfaces because it avoids the hot-spot reflections that oblique illumination produces. These illuminators remain in active use wherever vintage Wild M3, M7A, and M8 microscopes are still maintained in labs, repair shops, and research facilities.