8530 Shatterbox
Page 7 of 28
SPEX SamplePrep LLC January 2010
4.0 SETTING UP
After the initial unpacking and setup of the Shatterbox, you are ready to prepare the unit for
actual use.
As you make the Shatterbox ready to grind samples, become familiar with the grinding
Container you will use. The sample is placed in a container with a puck (and sometimes a ring);
then the container is swung in a tight circle while the puck (and ring) crush the sample against
the bottom and wall of the container. Most of the Shatterbox containers have an O-ring or
gasket that prevents leakage during grinding. Grinding containers are available in several sizes
and in a range of materials to minimize objectionable contamination: hardened steel (Cat. Nos.
8501, 8507, and 8521), tungsten carbide (Cat. Nos. 8504, 8508), alumina ceramic (Cat. No.
8505), and zirconia ceramic (Cat. No. 8506). See page 18 for more information
Before actually operating your new 8530 Shatterbox, it is important that you become familiar
with its special features. This section explains in detail how each part of the Shatterbox works.
Directions for operation (minus these detailed descriptions) are given in “Operations.” There
are four important conditions of operation, which bear repeating:
1. ALWAYS CLAMP A CONTAINER IN PLACE WHEN RUNNING THE SHATTERBOX.
2. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE CLAMP.
3. DO NOT OPEN THE LID UNTIL THE LID LATCH IS DISENGAGED.
4. ALWAYS UNPLUG THE MILL BEFORE OPENING THE CABINET ACCESS PANEL.
While familiarizing yourself with the operation of the Shatterbox you may wish to clamp in
place a grinding container without its puck/ring. Read the clamp instructions first.
4.1 Locking Casters
All four casters swivel, and can be locked and unlocked with the foot. Each caster has a
downward sloping pedal with a small tab projecting up. To lock the casters, press the pedal
down. To unlock the casters, push the tab back. To move the 8530 Shatterbox easily, unlock the
casters; to keep it in place, lock them. Always lock the casters before operating the Shatterbox.
4.2 Pneumatic Cylinders
There is one on either side of the lid, to hold it firmly in the open or closed positions. Open and
close the lid several times to get the “feel” of lowering the lid gently. Keep fingers and objects
off the rim of the Shatterbox cabinet when lowering the lid, as the pneumatic cylinders will not
slow its descent during the last few inches.
4.3 Safety Interlock
The 8530 Shatterbox is designed so the lid cannot be lifted while the capsule retainer is moving.
When the start button is pushed, it activates a solenoid that locks down the lid. Not until the
lid locks down will the Shatterbox motor start. At the end of a run when the timer reaches
