OTF 5000/HS/LS-001/2/3/4 Iss 4 June 2012
21
2.3.1 BLADE GUARDS
Refer to Figure 17
A pair of fixed blade guards (6) is fitted. These must never be removed under any
circumstances.
A wire blade guard (4) is also fitted.
When access to the blade is required, the wire blade guard can be opened. Turn the wire blade
guard knob (15) anticlockwise to open and turn the wire blade guard knob clockwise to close.
During sectioning, the wire blade guard is in the open position. At all other times when a blade
is fitted, the guard should be in the closed position for operator safety.
2.3.2 BLADE HOLDER
Refer to Figure 17
Release the blade angle locking lever (2). Taking the body of the blade holder in both hands
move it against the lower part of the assembly until the correct angle is shown on the blade
angle indicator (3), then re-lock the blade holder body with the blade angle locking lever.
Normally this angle should be set at 3º.
To ensure optimum sectioning performance the blade and blade clamping plate must be kept
clean from grease and dirt. To clean the blade and blade clamping plate, carefully apply a small
amount of methylated spirits or ethanol to the surface of the blade and blade clamping plate
using a clean, dry, soft paper towel. Always move the towel away from the edge of the blade -
never towards it.
To install a blade:
Feather blades are covered with a fine film of protecting varnish. It is necessary to remove this
varnish using solvents, i.e. xylene or acetone, before using a blade for sectioning. Please
ensure that this process is carried out with the utmost of care. Feather blades are sharp and
could cause serious injuries. Alternatively the film can be removed by cutting several sections of
embedding compound.
Open the wire blade guard.
Unlock the blade clamping plate (16) by using the blade clamp lever (17).
Push the blade loading plate (5) to one side and carefully place a new blade in position.
Slide the blade loading plate back to the centre and use the blade clamp lever to lock it into
position.
Please note that as the blade wears it is possible to slide into a new position and by doing this it
is possible to utilise the whole length of the blade.
To remove a blade:
Open the wire blade guard.
Unlock the blade clamping plate (7) by using the blade clamp lever (8).
Push the blade loading plate (9) to one side and carefully remove the blade.
2.3.3 ANTI-ROLL ASSEMBLY
Refer to FIG 17
The Easi-Set anti-roll plate (ARP) is a device for ensuring that tissue sections pass down the
blade face without curling, so that they can be collected flat on to microscope slides.
The design and setting up of the ARP is second only in importance to the quality of the blade
edge in obtaining ribbons of high quality sections.
Step 1
- Preparation
Install a sharp Feather blade. (See section 2.3.2)
Содержание OTF 5000
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