M3500 Issue 2 - Feb 2006
Last reviewed: Oct 2010 / Next review Oct 2013
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The debris trays can easily be lifted out for emptying and cleaning, but first brush most of the
debris into the deeper sections of the trays.
Do not
expose the trays to temperatures in excess of 60ºC (see section 3.4)
2.6.2 Visor
The visor is a plastic translucent moulding which can be usd as a safety feature by closing
when the unit is not in use to prevent someone inadvertently touching the settings, blade etc.
2.6.3 Hand
wheel
The operating hand wheel on the right side of the Microtome can be locked with the thumb
lever. There are ten locking positions including tip and bottom. The hand wheel should always
be turned clockwise.
2.7 CUTTING AND COLLECTING SECTIONS
We recommend the following cutting angles when using:
a.
leaver release Feather blade - 5º
b.
solid knife [Bright 50230] - 15º
2.7.1 Set
Up
-
fit a sharp knife in position, ensuring knife guards are in central position
-
check hand wheel is locked with specimen cassette in top position
-
move knife guards to the side
2.7.2 Wax Cassette Set Up
-
place the wax cassette in the quick release holder with the angled end pointing down
-
set the section thickness to zero
-
slowly turn the operating handle to lower the cassette in proximity to the blade or
knife
-
wind the advance/rewind control to take the wax block so that it just touches the back
of the blade or knife. At the same time move the operating hand wheel with a gentle
backwards and forwards motion so that the cassette goes gently up and down.
2.7.3 Trimming
-
use the advance/rewind control to carefully increment the wax cassette towards the
blade or knife while fully turning the operating hand wheel. Avoid taking too large
‘bites’ at the wax.
-
alternatively, if Motorised advance/rewind is fitted, the wax cassette can be
incremented towards the blade or knife by briefly pressing one of the advance/rewind
switches.
-
Another method is simply to set the section thickness control to 14µm and turn the
operating hand wheel until the specimen is suitably exposed.
Take care while trimming , particularly with small specimens or hard/tough tissues.
2.7.4 Section
Cutting
-
after trimming, set the section thickness control to the desired position and turn the
operating hand wheel slowly
