Rotary Microtome HM 355 S ROTARY MICROTOME HM 355 S INSTRUCTION MANUAL MICROM International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S MICROM International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S CERTIFICATION MICROM International GmbH certifies that this instrument has been tested and checked carefully. Its technical data was verified before shipment to be in accordance with the published specifications. The instrument complies with applicable international safety regulations. WARRANTY This MICROM product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of 1 year.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S MICROM International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S INTENDED USE Dear Customer, Before operating the instrument, please read these instructions carefully to familiarize yourself with its proper operation and functions. Only skilled or specially trained personnel must operate the microtome, i.e. clamping the specimen, trimming, sectioning and taking off the sections from the instrument. The listed and marked safety measures as well as the regulations of your respective lab must be strictly observed. MICROM-Ser. No.: ..............
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S Intended Use Table of Contents EC Certificate of Conformity Safety precautions Part 1 1-1 1-2 Part 2 2-1 2-2 2-3 2-4 Introduction Description of the Rotary Microtome HM 355 S Technical specifications HM 355 S Operating instructions Setting up the microtome Initial turn-on Cutting movement and retraction Setting section thickness and trimming thickness 2-5 2-5-1 2-5-2 2-5-3 Specimen feed Coarse feed and speed for coarse feed Trimming and first cuts Fine feed 2-6 2-6-1 2-6-2 2
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-11 2-11-1 2-11-2 2-11-3 2-11-4 Adapters for specimen clamping Adapter, non-orienting Adapter, orienting, specimen orientation Changing and/or clamping specimen clamps Readjusting specimen clamps 2-12 2-12-1 2-12-2 2-12-3 2-12-4 2-12-5 2-12-6 Knife carriers Standard knife carrier N Disposable blade carrier E Knife carrier C Knife carrier S Readjusting the knife carriers N, E and C Readjusting the knife carrier S 2-13 2-14 2-15 2-16 2-16-1 2-16-2 2-17 2-18 Section waste tray
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 4-3-1 4-3-2 Condition of the knife edge Clean knife surfaces MICROM Internatio nal GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 4-4 4-4-1 4-4-2 4-4-3 4-4-4 4-4-5 4-4-6 4-4-7 How to avoid malfunctions Preparation of the specimen Temperature of the specimen Tightening the clamping screws Selection of the knife Adjustment of the knife Cutting speed Trimming Part 5 Maintenance Part 6 Cleaning and Care MICROM International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S EC Certificate of Conformity Name and address of the manufacturer: MICROM International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Straße 49 D-69190 Walldorf Product designation: Type reference: Rotary Microtome HM 355 S The designated product complies with the laid down regulations: 73/23/EWG with amendments 89/336/EWG with amendments The designated product complies with the EC regulations by strictly observing the following norms: "Guideline of the Council for the alignment of the legal instructions
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S MICROM International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S SAFETY PRECAUTIONS CAUTION ! Please observe the following general precautions during operation of this instrument. Failure to comply with these precautions violates safety standards and the intended use of the instrument. MICROM International GmbH is not liable for misuse of the instruments and failure to comply with basic safety requirements. INSTRUMENT GROUNDING To avoid injury from electrical current, the instrument must be connected to the safety ground.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S HAZARD OF RADIOACTIVE RADIATION When working with radioactive specimens observe all applicable radiation safety procedures. HAZARD OF INFECTION Use the appropriate safety and disinfection measures when working with infectious specimens. HAZARD OF MALFUNCTION To avoid the hazard of malfunction of an instrument, it must only be operated in a controlled electromagnetic environment. This means, that transmitters such as mobile phones must not be operated in their close vicinity.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S Fig. 1 MICROM International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S PART 1 INTRODUCTION 1-1 DESCRIPTION OF THE ROTARY MICROTOME HM 355 S The Rotary Microtome HM 355 S from MICROM International GmbH is a universal heavy duty microtome for especially sophisticated paraffin, hard- and semi-thin sectioning techniques in biology, medicine and industry. The HM 355 S sets new ergonomical standards concerning operation and comfort.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S The knife carriers are designed so the knives can be easily clamped in place and adjusted. For the user's safety, the instrument is equipped with two emergency stop devices. An electro-mechanical handwheel brake as well as a handwheel handle, which can be pushed in, are installed for further safety. MICROM International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 1 - 2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS HM 355 S Microtome: Section thickness range .............................................................. 0,5 - 100 µm Resolution: ...................................................................... 0,5 µm for 0,5 - 5 µm ............................................................................................... 1 µm for 5 - 20 µm .............................................................................................
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S PART 2 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 2-1 SETTING UP THE MICROTOME Unpack the microtome and remove the wrapping. On the lower side of the instrument towards the front and rear longitudinal axis, there are recessed grips to lift or carry the microtome. Do not transport the instrument on the handle of the handwheel! Sectioning can be influenced by nearby instruments which generate vibrations. For this reason, the microtome should be placed on a stable and vibration free table.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-3 CUTTING MOVEMENT AND RETRACTION To start the cutting movement of the microtome, turn the handwheel (or use the motorized cutting drive). As the specimen moves down, sectioning is carried out (cutting movement, fig. 3.2). Continue turning the handwheel to bring the specimen back up. To protect the knife and specimen during return travel, the specimen is retracted (R). The yellow LED RETRACT (fig. 5.1) lights up.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 5 3 4 2 1 Fig. 4 2-4 SETTING SECTION THICKNESS AND TRIMMING THICKNESS The required section and trimming thicknesses are set by means of the control knob (fig. 4.3), which is situated on the side part of the operating panel (fig. 4.1). To choose between section thickness and trimming thickness, press the operating knob (fig. 4.3). A marking (fig. 5.5) in the first line of the display shows which cutting thickness is selected.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S The graduation of the trimming thicknesses is divided into 4 ranges: range up to 10µm from 10µm to 100µm from 100µm to 200µm from 200µm to 500µm 2-5 graduation 5µm 10µm 20µm 50µm SPECIMEN FEED 2-5-1 COARSE FEED AND SPEED FOR COARSE FEED For the fast forward and backward travel between specimen and knife edge, the microtome has a motorized coarse feed system. The specimen holder is moved forwards as long as the button (fig. 5.16) is pressed.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 1 3 RETRACT STOP 2 4 MICROM 7 FEED = 3 CONT. V = 25 COUNTER = 12 5 6 TRIM = 20 *** R 8 10 A 9 11 12 START STOP 14 MODE 1,2,3 13 15 16 Fig. 5 2-5-2 TRIMMING AND FIRST CUTS After the specimen and knife are adjusted, further gradual feed for trimming can be carried out using the function . For different sectioning series, deeper layers of the specimen can be reached with the function . Button (fig. 5.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-5-3 FINE FEED After having adjusted specimen and knife as well as having trimmed the specimen, sectioning can be started. Press the control knob (fig. 4.3) to select the section thickness setting. Turn the handwheel continuously in one direction to feed the specimen at the selected section thickness. The same process is carried out when the motor drive for the cutting movement is turned on. The handwheel on the right side of the instrument rotates.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-6 MOTORIZED CUTTING DRIVE Sectioning can be carried out either manually by turning the handwheel or by means of a motorized cutting drive. The cutting movement can either be released by pressing the button START/STOP (fig. 5.12) or by means of the foot pedal. The controlled cutting speed can be set continuously from 0 - 430 mm/s on the control knob (fig. 4.4). The cutting speed refers to the cutting window.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S Fig. 6 SINGLE STROKE Press button (fig. 5.11) until the operating mode single stroke (fig. 5.6) is shown on the display (fig. 5.7). Press the button (fig. 5.12) or the foot pedal once, to release a single cutting cycle. The movement stops in the upper reversal point. MULTI STROKE Press button (fig. 5.11) until the operating mode multi stroke (fig. 5.6) is shown on the display (fig. 5.7). Press the button (fig. 5.12) or the foot pedal once, to release a multiple cutting cycle.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-6-3 SETTING CUTTING SPEED The desired cutting speed is set continuously on the control knob (fig. 4.4) and shown in the middle of the third line on the display (fig. 5.7) with values from 0 - 99. To save time, the return travel speed is enhanced in relation to the cutting speed, especially for slow cutting speeds. In addition, the maximum range of the cutting speed can be chosen smaller for fine sectioning than for trim sectioning.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-6-7 EMERGENCY STOP To quickly eliminate danger, the microtome has two devices. CAUTION! In case danger arises from cutting drive, push the ! The hand emergency stop button is placed on the right side of the microtome below the handwheel. Press this red button to stop immediately the motorized cutting drive. The red LED STOP (fig. 5.4) on the operating panel lights up, if the is activated.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-7 INDICATION OF CUTTING PROCESSES In the lower line of the display (fig. 5.7) information about the sectioning status can be seen. Press the (fig. 5.2), to show the various functions one after the other on the display. The following information about the present sectioning position of the instrument can alternatively be seen in the lower line of the display (fig. 5.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-8 TURNING OFF THE FUNCTION If desired, the function can be turned off. This can be achieved by pressing the buttons (fig. 5.3 and 5.13) on condition that the lower line of the display (fig. 5.7) is blank. The letter R (last line on the right side on the display) does not light up anymore. The yellow LED RETRACTION, however, might still be on and goes off only after having passed from the return travel again to the cutting movement.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-10 SPECIMEN CLAMPING 2-10-2 STANDARD SPECIMEN CLAMP To clamp specimens, different specimen clamping systems are available. With the orienting adapter it is simple to align the specimen properly in relation to the knife. The standard specimen clamp (fig. 8) is used for rectangular and square paraffin and plastic blocks. 2-10-1 UNIVERSAL CASSETTE CLAMP The universal cassette clamp (fig. 7) represents a quick change system. Fig.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-10-3 INSERT FOR ROUND SPECIMENS, V-INSERT AND V-DISTANCE PIECE 2-10-4 FOIL CLAMP The foil clamp (fig. 10) is a clamping system for foils or thin specimens. To insert the specimen, loosen the three clamping screws (fig. 10.5) slightly and push the movable jaw (fig. 10.2) sideways against the two springs (fig. 10.3). The specimen is kept in place by the springs. For a new alignment its position can be changed. Turn the three clamping screws (fig. 10.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-10-5 SEGMENT ARC AND UNIVERSAL SPECIMEN HOLDER The segment arc and universal specimen holder are highly suitable for the clamping of small specimens embedded in plastic (fig. 11). Fig. 11 The specimen is inserted in the holder (fig. 11.1) and clamped by means of the screw (fig. 11.2) with the hex head wrench (fig. 11.3). Then the holder together with the specimen is put into the segment carrier (fig. 11.5), where the holder can be turned 360°.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-11 ADAPTERS FOR SPECIMEN CLAMPING 2-11-1 ADAPTER, NON-ORIENTING This adapter replaces the specimen holder and serves for the non-orienting fastening of the specimen clamps directly on the feed cylinder. NOTE! To avoid undesirable movement while adjusting the specimen, press the eccentric lever upwards slightly. This will lightly hold the specimen clamp. 2-11-2 ADAPTER, ORIENTING, SPECIMEN ORIENTATION CAUTION! The spring bolt (fig. 12.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-11-4 READJUSTING SPECIMEN CLAMPS Frequent use of the clamping lever (fig. 12.1) can lead to the fact that the specimen clamps cannot be clamped optimally anymore. If the necessary readjustments are not carried out, it might even be possible that the specimen clamp cannot be clamped anymore by means of the clamping lever (fig. 12.1). The clamping lever (fig. 12.1) should be in an almost upright position.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-12 KNIFE CARRIERS The knife carriers of the microtome are easy to use, can be moved sideways and are equipped with knife guards for user safety while adjusting knife and specimen. A dovetail guide is screwed on the base plate. It is designed universally so that the different knife carriers can be clamped and moved to the front and the back. 2-12-1 STANDARD KNIFE CARRIER N a) Inserting the knife To insert the knife, unscrew the two clamping screws (fig. 14.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 9 3 8 3 7 10 10 5 2 1 6 4 Fig. 14 MICROM International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-12-2 DISPOSABLE BLADE CARRIER E a) Inserting the blade The disposable blade carrier E is designed to take all commercially available high and low profile blades. Insert the blade into the slot behind the clamping plate (fig. 15.5). When using high profile blades, first loosen the two screws (fig. 15.9) and remove the spacer strip (fig. 15.3). Turn the clamping lever (fig. 15.7) to the front. Swing the bracket with scale (fig. 15.4) to the front.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 5 4 9 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2 7 6 0 10 1 8 Fig. 15 MICROM International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-12-3 KNIFE CARRIER C a) Inserting the knife To insert the knife, the clamping screws (fig. 16.10) must be unscrewed slightly so the knife can be pushed in from the side. The height of the knife is adjusted with the two knurled nuts (fig. 16.6) and the bar (fig. 16.7). If the cutting zone of the knife cannot be used anymore, it can be moved over its entire length to the left and right side by loosening the clamping screws. This allows an optimal use of the entire knife edge.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 3 9 8.2 8.1 10 3 9 5 10 2 1 6 7 6 4 Fig. 16 Fig. 17 shows schematically the angles on the cutting edge profiles of c- and d-knives. Fig. 17 MICROM International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-12-4 KNIFE CARRIER S a) Inserting the knife The knife carrier S is designed to take triangular glass knives, diamond and sapphire knives. These knives are put into the knife insert (fig. 18.8) and clamped with the clamping screw (fig. 18.9). The black arrows in fig. 18 show the clamping direction of the various clamping devices. d) Loosen the clamping screw (fig. 18.4) to move the carrier to the left or right side on the socket up to approx.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 9 11 8 10 5 6 3 6 4 10 20 30 1 7 2 Fig. 18 MICROM International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-12-5 READJUSTING KNIFE CARRIERS N, E AND C Frequent use of the clamping levers can lead to the fact that the knife carriers cannot be clamped optimally anymore. If the necessary readjustments are not carried out, it might even be possible that the knife carriers cannot be clamped anymore. If possible, the clamping lever should be in a 45°position towards the front (fig. 19). Fig. 20 2-12-6 READJUSTING KNIFE CARRIER S Readjusting the clamping lever (fig. 18.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-13 SECTION WASTE TRAY WITH INTEGRATED ARM REST The section waste tray with integrated arm rest surrounds the knife carrier area. It can easily be cleaned and allows non-tiring working with the microtome. It can easily be removed to the front. 2-15 BACKLIGHTING SYSTEM The adjustment between specimen and cutting edge is facilitated considerably by the backlighting system. The small gap between knife edge and specimen is illuminated and thus better visible.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-16 SPECIMEN APPROACH METHODS To facilitate routine work for the user, the rotary microtome HM 355 S is equipped with two functions for the fast and exact approach of knife edge and specimen. 2-16-1 MEMORY FUNCTION The memory function is used to quickly find again the same position for the first cuts. This function can only be used on condition that blocks, which have been embedded in the same molds, are cut. The blocks must have almost the same height.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-16-2 AUTOMATIC APPROACH SYSTEM The automatic approach system is used for the fast and exact approach of the specimen (fig. 24.2) towards the knife edge (fig. 24.1). Fig. 24 shows the position of the sensor (fig. 24.3) at the beginning of the automatic approach process. After this process, turn the handwheel and thus the specimen holder into the upper position. Then the automatic coarse feed moves the specimen holder forwards again to carry out a certain correction value.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S CAUTION! The permanent functionality of the automatic approach system is only guaranteed when the working process is not disturbed by section waste. Therefore, keep the automatic approach system itself as well as the direct surrounding area clean. If the button (fig. 5.9) is pressed, although the automatic approach system is not installed or not yet ready for work, the display (fig. 5.7) shows NO APPROACH. Again press button (fig. 6.9) to delete this information.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-17 LARGE FIELD MAGNIFIER The large field magnifier (fig. 25) is for looking at section production. The light is connected to the power outlet with the power cord (fig. 25.2) and turned on and off with the switch (fig. 25.3). CAUTION! Before using the large field magnifier for the first time, please check if the voltage conditions at the installation site comply with the power requirements and frequency mentioned on the supply unit of the magnifier. Fig.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S Installing the magnifier on the microtome Please use the enclosed fastening elements to attach the magnifier to the microtome. Remove the front plastic caps from the upper side of the front panel. If there are no drilled holes in the front panel, it must be replaced with a new one with drilled holes. Fasten the peg (fig. 25.4) to the plate (fig. 25.6) with the screw (fig. 25.7). Carefully introduce the four sleeves (fig. 25.8) into the drilled holes with the screws (fig. 25.5).
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 2-18 STANDARD EQUIPMENT The Rotary Microtome HM 355 S is supplied with the following accessories: 1 Hex head wrench 6 mm 1 Cover 1 Para Gard, 100 ml 1 Instruction manual The knife carriers and specimen clamps are not included in the standard equipment. 2-19 ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT (OPTIONAL) 2-19-1 KNIFE CARRIERS Cat. no.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S Insert for round specimens, ø 6 mm Insert for round specimens, ø 15 mm Insert for round specimens, ø 19 mm Insert for round specimens, ø 25 mm 715070 715080 715280 715090 V-Insert 715100 V-distance piece 715320 Segment arc 715050 Universal specimen holder 715060 2-19-3 OPTICAL ACCESSORIES Large field magnifier, 230 V Large field magnifier, 120 V 760160 760170 Stereomicroscope Stemi 2000 755210 Adapter for Stemi 2000 532090 KL 1500 with ring light 230 V, 50 - 60 Hz
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S MICROM International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S Knife cases 12 cm 16 cm 18,5 cm 22 cm 152220 152230 152280 152240 Disposable blades for paraffin S 35, 50 pieces in dispenser R 35, 50 pieces in dispenser 152170 152370 Superlap blades, 10 pieces 152190 2-19-5 ADDITIONAL ACCESSORIES Fast freezing unit K 300 100 V, 50 - 60 Hz 115 V, 60 Hz 230 V, 50 Hz 240 V, 50 Hz 770080 770070 770030 770090 Section transfer system STS 100 V, 50 - 60 Hz 115 V, 60 Hz 230 V, 50 Hz 240 V, 50 Hz 771030 771020 771010 771040 Storage unit 52045
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S PART 3 3-1 THEORY OF OPERATION CUTTING MOVEMENT AND RETRACTION The rotary movement of the handwheel of the HM 355 S results in the vertical movement of the specimen clamp. This rotary movement is carried out either manually or by means of the motorized cutting drive. Sectioning is carried out by knives or blades, which must be adjusted and fixed on the knife carrier. With the downward movement of the specimen, sectioning is carried out (cutting movement).
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 3-5 KNIFE CARRIERS The knife carriers are easy to use. They allow the microtome knives to be clamped and adjusted as needed. Depending on application, special knife carriers are available. 3-6 MICROTOME WITH FREEZING UNIT The freezing unit K 300 allows frozen sectioning with the specimen temperature as low as -45°C. 3-7 AUTOMATIC APPROACH SYSTEM The automatic approach system is used for easy approach of a specimen to the knife edge from any distance.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S PART 4 4-1 WORKING WITH THE MICROTOME PREPARATION AND ORIENTATION Before sectioning, the specimens must be prepared appropriately and embedded in suitable media. The universal cassette as well as different forms for round or rectangular specimens can be used for the embedding. With the orienting adapter and cylinder head, the specimen can easily be oriented to the knife. (See 2-11-2, adapter, orienting, specimen orientation).
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S 4-4 HOW TO AVOID MALFUNCTIONS 4-4-1 PREPARATION OF THE SPECIMEN 4-4-5 ADJUSTMENT OF THE KNIFE When preparing specimens, be sure that a suitable embedding medium, fixation, dehydration and infiltration time are chosen. Take care to adjust the proper clearance angle of the knife: 5 - 7° for glass knives. For diamond knives ask the knife manufacturer. 4-4-2 TEMPERATURE OF THE SPECIMEN Select a clearance angle adjustment 5 - 15° according to the facet angle.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S PART 5 MAINTENANCE Annual routine maintenance To secure section quality and functioning of the microtome, it is recommended that a routine maintenance be performed by a trained service technician once a year. Service contract MICROM offers a service contract which guarantees that your instrument is always in perfect condition. For more information, please contact the nearest MICROM sales office. Exchange of fuses The two mains fuses (fig. 26.
Rotary Microtome HM 355 S PART 6 CLEANING AND CARE Cleaning intervals Care Cleaning of the microtome depends on how frequently the microtome is used. The more it is used, the more it will need to be cleaned. Remove the knife from the knife carrier. Clean it and keep it in a knife case. CAUTION! Never put the knife with the cutting edge upward on the table. Cleaning agents Mild household cleaners can be used to clean the microtome.
